Flip Saunders brings a magician into Timberwolves camp

Flip Saunders is back as the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves and he’s still not afraid to try some unconventional things at training camp.

Kids love magic. Or so the theory goes. But while the Minnesota Timberwolves are young, coach Flip Saunders might be overreaching with some of his training camp activities.

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He’s had some interesting tricks up his sleeve to try to keep the young guys engaged during training camp in Mankato, Minn., including having the players throw footballs around, having players pull numbers out of a hat to pick sides for a shooting contest and offering up a “Word of the Day.”

But, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, he had a magician come in and entertain the kids on Tuesday.

That’s right—the Amazing Hondo, no less (was wondering how John Havlicek was spending his retirement)—showed off some sleight of hand.

"“This is a game, you’re here to have fun,” Saunders said. “You’re here to stimulate players. You’re here to motivate them.”"

Saunders says he’s spent a lot of his career watching how other coaches do things and most recently looked at the methodology of Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.

"“I’ve been exposed to a lot of different situations. You pick and choose what works and what might not work, just like how in coaching your system evolves. …“My camps have always been a combination of teaching and competition. Certain teams thrive on competition, that’s what motivates them. I try to keep the players’ interest, keep them intrigued, keep them wanting, keep them doing the unexpected.”"

Of course, veteran guard Kevin Martin thinks all the extra activity may be a product of something else in Saunders’ personality.

"“The more jobs Flip has, the better he is. I think he likes all those responsibilities.”"

Saunders is also the president of basketball operations and when the time came to replace retiring coach Rick Adelman, few were shocked when his exhaustive search came up with Flip Saunders as the best candidate for the gig.

Saunders, 59, is entering his 17th season as an NBA coach and his second tour with the Timberwolves. He is the franchise’s all-time winningest coach, having posted a record of 411-326 in parts of 10 seasons from 1995-2005. He also coached the Detroit Pistons for three years and spent parts of three seasons with the Washington Wizards.

His lifetime coaching record is 638-526.

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Flip Saunders brings a magician into Minnesota Timberwolves camp

By Phil Watson | Oct 4, 2014

Flip Saunders is back as the head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves and he’s still not afraid to try some unconventional things at training camp.

More from FanSided