Timberwolves pay tribute to Flip Saunders before home opener (Video)
The Minnesota Timberwolves held a ceremony in honor of Flip Saunders prior to their home opener
The Minnesota Timberwolves are beginning the 2015-16 NBA season with heavy hearts and extra motivation as they play for their head coach, Flip Saunders, who passed away just over a week ago. The Timberwolves, undoubtedly inspired by Saunders’ passing, won their first two games of the year. However, they had something special on-deck to honor Saunders prior to their home opener on Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.
As the Timberwolves got set to play in the Target Center for the first time since Saunders’ death, there was obviously a ton of emotion in the arena regarding one of the most beloved figures in Minnesota sports and in basketball as a whole. That emotion only intensified as the Timberwolves paid tribute to Saunders prior to tip-off:
WATCH: A touching pregame tribute to Flip Saunders in front of the Target Center crowd #ForFlip #Twolves https://t.co/XTgqSWNgPa
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) November 3, 2015
A video tribute that was shown to an incredible Target Center crowd, featuring the players memories of Flip #ForFliphttps://t.co/aPh9oVtOji
— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) November 3, 2015
No matter what you may have thought about every decision that Saunders made as a member of a front office or as a coach, there’s no denying the impact that he had on the sport of basketball, on basketball in Minnesota, and on the countless people that he came in contact with. He was appreciated by many as a figure in sports, but beloved by many more for being a great man and human being.
Rest in peace, Flip.