For the first time since Sunday’s announcement, Timberwolves players and coaches had the chance to publicly talk about about Flip Saunders.
Saunders died at the age of 60, after suffering complications during treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, which he’d been diagnosed with over the summer. Since then, touching tributes from colleagues, writers and friends have poured in.
On Monday afternoon, the team had its first chance to speak to the public.
Timberwolves interim head coach Sam Mitchell, a former player for Saunders, said he will remember Flip
AUDIO: Mitchell on the passing of Flip Saunders "It's just hard. There's no easy way…it's just hard." https://t.co/TEo1WEbANh
— Alan Horton (@WolvesRadio) October 26, 2015
” target=”_blank”>for the good times and for what he learned from him. Mitchell acknowledged the next few days especially will be hard for some of the players.
AUDIO: Mitchell on the passing of Flip Saunders "It's just hard. There's no easy way…it's just hard." https://t.co/TEo1WEbANh
— Alan Horton (@WolvesRadio) October 26, 2015
Over the course of two stints with the team Saunders coached the Wolves for 11 seasons and had been in his role as president of basketball operations for two.
“Flip was a great friend of mine who had a lot of influence on me. It’s tough to see anyone go at such a young age,” said Wolves General Manager Milt Newton during a press conference at practice Monday. “We would go to lunch every day and talk about basketball and life. It’s very difficult.”
Wolves players talked about keeping Saunders’ vision for this team alive, and honoring their fallen coach with their play this season.
“It was very hard. For a lot of us and a lot of our problems in life we have been coming to a basketball gym to really just vent our problems and forget about them for two hours of practice,” Wolves rookie Karl-Anthony Towns said. “It was kind of hit an miss on emotions through practice, but we stayed strong together and we’re just trying to keep the vision he had for us going.”
Several of the Wolves who spoke on Monday said they will honor Saunders with their play this season.
#Twolves rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns saddened to not have a chance to play for Flip Saunders https://t.co/rtqZwN6s4P
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) October 26, 2015
Rubio: "he made us feel special, from the most important guy to the least." … "We lost our dad yesterday"
— Jon Krawczynski (@JonKrawczynski) October 26, 2015
#Twolves guard Zach LaVine said they will be ready to play Wednesday and will play this season for Flip.
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) October 26, 2015
.@Tyusjones06 talks about what he's learned from Flip.
"We're doing it all for him now." pic.twitter.com/UNNNMpfSAP
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 26, 2015
Tayshaun: "This is going to be a tough year for us" but Flip would want them to go compete
— Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) October 26, 2015
"Each and every night I prayed for a miraculous result to come out of this process." -Tayshaun Prince pic.twitter.com/3iap1tW9as
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) October 26, 2015
KG is not speaking to media today
— Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) October 26, 2015
Martin said Garnett thought everyone needed a practice like they had today. Said KG told them let's get back to work & play in Flip's honor
— Marcus R. Fuller (@Marcus_R_Fuller) October 26, 2015
