The Timberwolves lost the heart of the organization: Flip Saunders, but what he left behind are 15 guys that are going to play with a purpose this year. They are going to carry on the vision Flip had for this team and fight every single night. Flip didn't just bring these players here to play basketball. He brought them here to be part of the Timberwolves family that will put on for the city and be role models and people with high character and love for the game.
He always mentioned having high character guys on the team and bringing in players that WANT to be here. This is the most potential the franchise has ever seen on one roster. You better believe that every guy in the locker room will have Flip in their hearts when they step on the hardwood.
Starting at PG is Ricky Rubio:
Rubio, appropriately, got right to the point.
“It’s something that impacts all of us,” he said. “He was rebuilding this team, and he chose every single [player] who is over here right now. … What we have here is a family, and we lost our dad yesterday.”
As Rubio said, Saunders brought in every piece, every player and coach. And now they all have something very big to play for.
“We’re going to be men,” Rubio said. “We’re going to go through this tough moment. But, in honor of him, we will be playing hard, giving everything we have out there and honoring him. Winning games.”
Starting at SG is Andrew Wiggins:
It was an honor and privilege to be coached and mentored by one of the most kind hearted and caring person in this world. You believed in me so much especially when you brought me over to Minnesota and saw my potential to be special in this league. for that I am forever grateful.
Starting at SF is Tayshaun Prince
"This is gonna be a tough year for us,” Prince said. “But at the end of the day, Flip will want us to go out here and play hard, play with endurance, play strong and go out and play for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Play as a group, play as a unit. And that’s what we’re going to do.’’
Starting at PF is the kid that Flip took that chance on and believed in: Kevin Garnett
Starting at C is Da new Kid Karl-Anthony Towns
Towns talked about how hard it was just to get out of bed.
“We lost our point guard,” he said, “the person who ran this whole machine.”
Some words from other Timberwolves and the reserves for the game:
Zach Lavine
LaVine recalls meeting Saunders after being drafted in 2014. Saunders wrote LaVine’s name down on a piece of paper the day of the draft and kept it in his pocket.
“He gave it to me, I have it in my room still,” LaVine said. “He put Zach LaVine on it; I’m drafting you for sure. I’m sticking with you. He believed in me. I got to thank the world for that.”
Kevin Martin
“Like KG said, we all need a day like today,” Martin said, talking about teammate Kevin Garnett, who was so close to Saunders. “We need to get back on track and start to play in his memory. It is devastating to lose a man of his caliber. He’s an Ohio kid, but Minnesota was his place.”
Shabazz Muhammad
We have all been blessed by your wonderful life, Coach Flip. You will be deeply missed. Rest in peace.
Nemanja Bjelica
Saddened by the passing of Flip Saunders...My prayers goes to his family and loved ones
I know the excitement for the start of the Timberwolves season was completely gone after Flip's passing. The Saunders family and Timberwolves organization lost a great man, but have gained an angel that will be watching over them. Rest in peace Flip, I know you'll be rooting for the Timberwolves from up there.
