Even with the regular season opener fast approaching, Cavs head coach David Blatt had Saunders at the top of his mind.
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The T-Wolves will officially open their season this coming October 29 against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. General manager Milt Newton assumed the daily operations of the organization. Every one of us, from players to coaches to a lot of guys in basketball ops, they were hand-picked by Flip.
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor said there have been talks with Flip Saunders’ family about scheduling a memorial service that the team can attend. Saunders and Garnett were building a new power, grooming youngsters Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, Ricky Rubio, Tyus Jones, Zach LaVine and Shabazz Muhammad as the next big thing. “He was all smiles passionate and really loved this game. We’re in a demanding business and things can happen quickly”.
Newton and Mitchell both steered the conversation toward who Saunders was as a person away from the basketball court. U will Truly be missed. Coach Wittman rarely shows that side (to me, at least), and that is 100 percent his prerogative, but Flip did and it spoke volumes about his character.
God speed, Flip. You deserve better than we gave you in the DMV. Flip was a great role model for current and future Gophers and was such a genius basketball mind who took so much pride in being a Gopher. You had a great impact on my life personally and professionally. “RIP my friend. Prayers are with the Saunders family during this time”.
“I’d like to start by offering my condolences to the family and friends of Flip Saunders”, Blatt said during his meeting with the media.
Saunders announced in August that he was being treated for Hodgkin lymphoma during which doctors described it as “very treatable and curable”. He was so close to beating the disease, which only makes Saunders’ death sting even more.
Losing a man, coach, and human being like Saunders hits home for everyone in the National Basketball Association and everyone who’s a fan of the National Basketball Association.
He is survived by his wife Debbie and their four children.
“He was the guy that made the team go”, Dutcher said. We lost our point guard. But he always remembered where he came from. “So we’ll find guys that will do it and do it in the right environment”. Following that stint, Saunders worked as a college assistant at his alma mater from 1981-86 and Tulsa from 1986-88.
Throughout their respective coaching and player careers, Saunders and Garnett crossed paths repeatedly. “It’s very hard…. He’s not here physically but I believe he will be here spiritually”. “He was light-hearted in practice”.
“He reminded me a lot of Chuck Daly. I just think about the good times”, he said. In his three seasons in Detroit, Flip led the Pistons to three straight Eastern Conference finals.
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He became the all-time leader in wins in franchise history with a record of 411-326 (.558) in almost 10 seasons. He also coached the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards. His first club was the Rapid City Thrillers where he helmed the team for a season before moving on to the La Crosse Catbirds where he led them to two CBA Championships as General Manager/Head Coach and Team President.
