The message behind Garnett’s tribute on Sunday is simple and one that he speaks for all of us in delivering: Flip Saunders was an incredible man, and he will be deeply, deeply missed.
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Saunders announced he was battling cancer in June, though terming it “treatable and curable” at the time.
“It is with tremendous difficulty and deep sadness that the Timberwolves acknowledge the passing of our President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach, Flip Saunders”. “Flip’s untimely passing has left a gaping hole in the fabric of our league”.
“Flip’s passion, love, and knowledge of the game shined throughout his life as a player, coach, and executive spanning all levels of basketball”. After about two to three minutes of no sales, Flip walked up behind the dance team members (who turned out to be his daughters) and said “So how many of these calendars are we buying today guys?”
After a three-year stint with the Wizards, Saunders returned to the Timberwolves in 2013 – after eight years away – as team president and part owner.
He began coaching at Golden Valley Lutheran College, a small college that closed in 1985, before returning to Minnesota as an assistant. “The basketball world lost a “coaches” coach’ today, and I lost a great friend”.
Jordan Johnson/NBAE/Getty Images Head coach Flip Saunders talks with Zach LaVine while guiding the Timberwolves back in March. His eldest son, Ryan Saunders, was recently hired as an assistant coach for the Timberwolves.
Wrote Barnes on Instagram: “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised anymore when my interview or events in my life are taken & twisted up to make me look like an…”
Saunders also had ties to the Celtics organization, serving as a consultant to the coaching staff during the 2012 postseason, during which Boston made a surprise run to the Eastern Conference finals. He is the only coach to lead the Timberwolves to the playoffs.
When Saunders was hiring a coach for the Timberwolves last summer, Izzo was reported as a candidate before Saunders eventually took on the role himself.
Marbury played his first three National Basketball Association seasons for Saunders before making All-Star teams with the New Jersey Nets and Phoenix Suns.
“From our ownership to our organization, we went and presented him with a game ball to keep fighting”, Spielman said. You said “The point guard has to be the extension to the coach” These words lived inside of me as I’ve had my share of ups and downs with coaches. As a player at the University of Minnesota, he was a starter in 101 of his 103 games there.
“Lost a great person in our fraternity way too early”, James tweeted moments ago.
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“Sending prayers to the family of @Timberwolves Flip Saunders”.
