Minnesota Timberwolves: 5 recent offseason tragedies

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 03: A close up shot of Ricky Rubio #9 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 3, 2017. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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5. The passing of Flip Saunders

In mid-August 2015, Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of cancer. At the time, Saunders’ doctors believed that the Wolves coach would be fine, saying they considered him to have a “very treatable and curable form of cancer.”

For a month, there was little in the way of updates, and it seemed like this would be a long, drawn out battle. Fans of both the Timberwolves and the NBA sat in anxious anticipation, dreading any news they received from ESPN or the Timberwolves organization.

In late-September, there was good news that Saunders, who had been hospitalized for the majority of the past month, was getting better. His condition was improving, and it seemed like all would be well.

On Oct. 25, 2015, just two days before the start of the NBA regular that season, Saunders died, leaving Sam Mitchell to carry on the duties of the head coach. The rest of the NBA mourned with the Timberwolves, as shown by this picture of the opening of a game between the Orlando Magic and the Washington Wizards:

Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images /

Or this one, from a game between the Philadelphia 76ers:

Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images /

Or this one, from the Oct. 28 game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Timberwolves. It was the season opener for both teams.

Photo by Kevin Sullivan/Digital First Media/Orange County Register via Getty Images /

Regardless of the team you liked, or who your favorite player was, the death of Flip Saunders broke the hearts of NBA fans worldwide, and made them feel for the entire Minnesota Timberwolves organization during this incredibly hard period.

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