The life of Flip Saunders will be honored with a video tribute before the start of Monday night’s Timberwolves’ home opener against the Portland Trail Blazers, but fans are already sharing memories of Saunders
https://twitter.com/JWFOCKE/status/661168506600366080
” target=”_blank”>on a wall dedicated to the former coach in the Minneapolis skyway.
The video tribute will be televised by FOX Sports North at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:45 p.m.
Saunders was laid to rest Saturday in a private ceremony attended by Timberwolves players, coaches and coaches and peers from the basketball community.
“There was not a dry eye in the house today,” said Doc Rivers, the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Rivalries aside, NBA coaches come together to attend Flip Saunders funeral » https://t.co/HWuSjQ7eQ6#NBAFamily pic.twitter.com/2DqTjtlTa4
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 1, 2015
According to the Star Tribune, Rivers was joined by coaching peers Tom Izzo of Michigan State, Rick Carlisle of the Mavericks, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy, ex-Wolves assistant and current Wizards coach Randy Wittman, and current and former Bulls coaches Fred Hoiberg and Tom Thibodeau.
“It was a great ceremony; it was a great way to send him off,” Wolves rookie Karl-Anthony Towns told the Pioneer Press. “(Wearing his patch) means a lot. It’s just unity. He was the one who brought all of us in here. He’s taken this organization to a whole (different) level. Without him, we don’t stand in this beautiful practice facility.”
The latest public tribute to Saunders was done by a group of local artists using nothing but leaves in Nicollet Island Pavilion. KARE 11 has more.
Seen @ Nicollet Island Pavilion, a very cool Flip Saunders tribute. Yes, those are leaves. (Via @lwall1448) #Twolves pic.twitter.com/bfAAC7Dgux
— Timberwolves PR (@Twolves_PR) November 2, 2015
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Minnesota will also begin wearing patches on their uniforms dedicated to Saunders.
#Twolves will wear a commemorative patch on their jerseys this season in honor of Flip Saunders. #RIPFlip pic.twitter.com/lykvIaewhl
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 27, 2015
As Timberwolves.com notes, the ceremony for Saunders “is going to be emotional.” Through two games the Wolves have two wins, and they’ve handled a difficult start to the season exactly how Saunders would have wanted them to.
