Los Angeles Lakers wear shirts to honor Flip Saunders
The Los Angeles Lakers honored Flip Saunders by wearing special shirts before Wednesday’s game.
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On October 25, 2015, the sports world was shocked and shaken by the news that Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders had passed away at 60 years old. It was a heartbreaking report about one of the more beloved figures in the NBA.
The Association has shown no hesitance in honoring Saunders’ legacy and memory.
The social media posts have been pouring in, bringing upon as many reminiscent smiles as there have been tears. An organization that once called Saunders a foe has decided to take its respect to the court.
The Los Angeles Lakers honored the late coach by wearing shooting shirts with his name on it:
The Lakers will wear these shooting shirts tonight in honor of Flip Saunders #RIPFlip pic.twitter.com/jkQ4xMPw7a
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 29, 2015
Saunders’ legacy will live forever in the NBA.
Saunders famously led Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves up against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Playoffs. The two sides met in the first round in 2003 and the Western Conference Finals in 2004.
Those rugged encounters did nothing but strengthen the Lakers’ respect for Saunders.
Whether friend or foe, coach Saunders’ impact was felt by every player and organization he encountered. That includes Nick Young, who’s pictured in the Lakers tweet with a, “FLIP,” shirt draped over him.
Young played for Saunders as a member of the Washington Wizards from 2009 to 2012.
Washington wasn’t his most glorious tenure, but Saunders still reached and helped the players whom he coached. That includes Young and current Wizards star John Wall, who posted a touching tribute on social media.
Before his Washington days, however, Saunders was one of the most accomplished coaches in the NBA.
Saunders led the Timberwolves to eight consecutive postseason appearances from 1996-97 to 2003-04. He also made three consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances with the Detroit Pistons from 2005-06 to 2007-08.
With four Conference Finals appearances, 654 wins and an infinite amount of lives touched, Saunders is safe in NBA history as a legendary figure.