In August, it was announced that Minnesota Timberwolves head coach and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders was being treated for Hodgkins lymphoma, but at the time, it was viewed to be curable. In September, he was hospitalized and on Friday, it was announced that Saunders would be missing the entire 2015-16 season.
Things had been progressing to in the wrong direction, but not many people knew how serious the situation was. The NBA community’s worst fears were realized Sunday, when the Timberwolves announced that Saunders had died at the age of 60.
It is with extreme sadness to report that today Phil “Flip” Saunders has passed away at age 60. pic.twitter.com/l8tthTocAt
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) October 25, 2015
Saunders served as an NBA head coach for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons and Timberwolves again over his 17-year coaching career. He compiled a 654-594 record (.524 win percentage) in 1,248 games and made it to four conference finals — one in Minnesota and three with the Pistons.
He began coaching in 1995-96, leading Minnesota to eight straight playoff appearances before being fired 51 games into the 2004-05 season. During his time with the Wolves, Saunders helped Kevin Garnett develop into an MVP caliber player and developed close ties with the organization.
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After being fired, Saunders helped lead Detroit to three consecutive conference finals appearances before joining the Wizards for a three-year stint. He then returned to the Timberwolves as a part owner and team president, and one year later, took over as head coach.
He oversaw the Kevin Love trade that led to the acquisition of Andrew Wiggins, drafted No. 1 overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns, brought the beloved KG back to the franchise and was seen as the leader who would help usher in a new era of young talent for the Timberwolves franchise. Sam Mitchell has taken over as interim head coach.
This is a sad day for the Timberwolves and the NBA community as a whole. Saunders was beloved by those close to him and those who covered the team, and there was an outpouring of support and prayers for the Saunders family in response to the sudden and unexpected news.
From Kevin Love,
to Ricky Rubio
to KG:
Kevin Garnett pays tribute to Flip. pic.twitter.com/17t9aOmjpj
— Tim Faklis (@timfaklis) October 25, 2015
Where the Timberwolves go from here without their head coach, president of basketball operations and nurturing presence remains to be seen, but for now, Minnesota and the entire league mourns the loss of an exemplary coach, NBA fixture and human being.
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