Zach LaVine posted this picture to Instagram of the new shoes he plans to wear when the Timberwolves tipoff with the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMuFyPJgKsM
The tongue of shoe reads, “Flip” a homage to the former Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders who passed away from cancer in Oct. 2015.
Saunders saw something special in LaVine when Minnesota drafted him with the No. 13 overall pick in 2014 NBA Draft.
Some viewed the pick as risky after LaVine put up less than stellar numbers after just one year at the University of California.
Although he’s no stranger to spectacular dunks and stellar athletic ability, he struggled to find an identity as a point guard at the NBA level.
However the 21-year-old started to blossom in the second half of last year as a shooting guard and he’s translated his strong play into 2016-17.
Entering play on Saturday, LaVine is averaging 20.4 points per game, while shooting .489 from 3-point territory.
Combined with teammates, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota is one of two teams who have three players who average over 20 points per game.
If LaVine can keep up this stellar play, the Timberwolves will have a fearsome big-three for years to come.
