I'm normally in total agreement with LSM, but this is an exception. I consider that I have "failed" if I have total flexibility in planning my descent and then have to use the brakes. I also try not to use the flaps as brakes and instead let the aircraft bleed off speed in level flight or a gentle descent until I get to the manufacturer's recommended flap deployment speed of Green Dot (or GD+10 in ice).
To put in some numbers, in level flight at low altitudes with a reasonable landing weight the aircraft I fly will decelerate at approx. one knot per second.