Fansided

Zach LaVine honors Flip Saunders with new shoes

By Matt Cianfrone

Nov 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) looks on during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Target Center. The Nuggets won 102-99. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Zach LaVine (8) looks on during the second half against the Denver Nuggets at Target Center. The Nuggets won 102-99. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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During the 2014 NBA Draft, it was widely thought that drafting Zach LaVine was a risky choice. Thanks to his great athleticism and shooting touch there were reasons to believe LaVine could be great. But there was also the lack of a clear position and defensive problems that held LaVine back. Those concerns caused LaVine to fall to number 13, where Flip Saunders and the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted him.

Early on in his career that decision seemed questionable. LaVine’s athleticism always shined through, making it easy to see what Saunders hoped for. Despite the glimmers of hope, poor decision-making and defense held LaVine back. Finally late in 2015 and now in 2016, LaVine has flourished as a shooting guard for the young upstart Wolves.

With that growth into a good player, LaVine has also seen his popularity grow, something unsurprising for a great dunker and scorer. Throughout it all, LaVine has made sure of a few things. One is that he will do all he can to give back to the Minnesota area, most notable in the extensive work he has done with the local Metro Deaf School in St. Paul. 

The other thing that LaVine has been sure to do is honor the legacy of Saunders. As LaVine told Sports Illustrated in May:

"just appreciate him a lot. That’s the person that believed in you and drafted you. He had very high expectations, and I just wanted to make him proud. We all loved him and miss him. So I always want to just give back to him and just show I appreciate him and I care and keep it in the family. The family goes through a tough time especially with a loss like that. Knowing the family and knowing my background, how I am with my dad and how tough that would be, I just want to show I appreciate him and want to give some help."

On Saturday LaVine showed his newest way of doing both via a pair of shoes.

The Northern Lights colorway is a really cool touch. There really aren’t other NBA cities where those colors mean anything so to bring them to a shoe is a great way to honor where you play. The best part of the shoes though is clearly the Flip extension on the tongue. Hopefully LaVine wears the shoes often as there would be not many things cooler then seeing Flip on the floor with him every night.

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