VIDEO: Timberwolves pay tribute to Flip Saunders
The Minnesota Timberwolves had an emotional homecoming Monday, as the organization paid tribute to late coach Flip Saunders prior to their home opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Saunders died Oct. 25 at the age of 60 after a short battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Players and staff offered their memories of Saunders in a pregame video.
A video tribute that was shown to an incredible Target Center crowd, featuring the players memories of Flip #ForFlip
https://t.co/aPh9oVtOji
— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) November 3, 2015
Prior to the game, fans were invited to leave their thoughts about Saunders on a memorial wall.
Fans sign the wall in memory of #FlipSaunders, prior to #TWolves home opener. Their memories @KSTP at 10. pic.twitter.com/cpZvD5Ouc4
— Jessica Miles (@jmileskstp) November 2, 2015
One fan was particularly outward with his tribute to Flip.
#Twolves fans are ready for the second half at Target Center! #ForFlip #PORatMIN pic.twitter.com/QmlRjPGOIX
— Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) November 3, 2015
Saunders was also fondly remembered as a face of basketball in the state. A former star for the University of Minnesota, he later worked as an assistant for the Golden Gophers before two stints as coach and executive with the Wolves. He also coached the Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards.
During the tribute, an excerpt was played of Saunders speaking in 2014 during the news conference to re-introduce him as Timberwolves president and coach:
I'd say "Well, you don't really understand unless you're from Minnesota. You really don't get it. Even when it snows on May 3rd you really don't get it." And the loyalty and the passion that the people have here is what always drives me back.