Flip Saunders passes away (pg 5)

robbie84 · Post #181 » by **robbie84** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 2:27 am

Condolences from all the Celtics fans of RealGM.
Over on Celticsblog there's a big thread about it too- just shockingly sad.

Here was a guy that truly cared about his players and the Minnesota T Wolves.
Looks like he's left a legacy for you to celebrate and watch grow.
RIP to an NBA legend.

the_process · Post #182 » by **the_process** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 2:28 am

Just wanted to pass along my condolences wherever appropriate. RIP, Flip.

Mattya · Post #183 » by **Mattya** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 2:29 am

It's stuff like this that makes you cherish the ones you love even more. I'm betting the tribute at the home opener will have tears in my eyes. Going to take one of my parents.

Post #184 » by **Klomp** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 2:36 am

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEC3kMkHpZA[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu5x1utmFwQ[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4JsvFj3kA8[/youtube]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNPQywbt6uE[/youtube]

younggunsmn · Post #185 » by **younggunsmn** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 2:36 am

Condolences to the Saunders family.

Flip did so much for the state of Minnesota and his passing will leave a huge hole.
I grew up watching those exciting teams he put together and coached and it is sad
he will not be able to see this group of young talent fulfill its potential.

Don Tommy · Post #186 » by **Don Tommy** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 2:43 am

Man, this really sucks. Not too many people with the character of Flip in this world, and not just the NBA. When it was reported that he had worked the draft and free agency after being diagnosed with cancer... he was giving everything he had to the NBA.
From a Clippers fan who followed the T'Wolves until they drafted Lattner, really sorry to hear this. At least you have Sam Mitchell in the fold to take over but it will be a tough year in Minny

Post #187 » by **Klomp** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 2:45 am

younggunsmn wrote:Flip did so much for the state of Minnesota and his passing will leave a huge hole.

Great point.

In Canada, people reference Vince Carter as the one who invigorated the fire for the game, and the one people point to as why the young Canadians picked up a basketball. In Minnesota, while Kevin Garnett deserves a lot of the credit for bringing basketball back to Minnesota, so does Flip. Think about Tyus Jones and Rashad Vaughn. They didn't know what the Wolves missing the playoffs was like until they were 7-8 years old.

Post #188 » by **C.lupus** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 3:32 am

Klomp wrote:This still doesn't even feel real.

I keep thinking the same thing.

This has literally had me near or in tears all evening. I don't know why it's affecting me so much other than the Wolves have been a large part of my life for a long time.

Sid Hartman said Flip had been in a coma for six weeks after coming down with pneumonia. Damn. It's even sadder to think he never got to see KAT play in a Wolves uniform ( other than summer league).

Fed · Post #189 » by **Fed** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 3:50 am

Wow. I'm cold, I didn't react...I was surprised, but not sad.. Reading this thread, seeing how much you fans are touched by your coaches passing is humbling. You guys/girls are good people.

Flip, like Kevin Garnett, was what I thought when I heard the teams name. Don't see that changing for a long time. A basketball mind we'll never be able to duplicate.

RIP FLIP!

Note30 · Post #190 » by **Note30** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 5:12 am

Klomp wrote:This still doesn't even feel real.

I woke up, rolled over and grabbed my laptop then logged onto nba.com this morning. Swore I thought it was a dream for a second. I've had a terrible feeling in my stomach feeling thats been holding all day.

yojimbo · Post #191 » by **yojimbo** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 6:00 am

F*ck F*ck F*ck... gutted by this news. He lived a good life and lived it large, but he should have had more time to enjoy it. Just awful.

Cyborg21 · Post #192 » by **Cyborg21** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 6:16 am

Pretty unbelievable. It was a really down day for me because it was like a piece of my childhood was gone. Flip and KG are why I became a fan of this team, and the reason I started to watch NBA basketball on a regular basis. I lost my grandparents to cancer last year, so it really brought back that sick feeling in my stomach and bad memories. Rest In Peace, Flip.

PharmD · Post #193 » by **PharmD** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 6:33 am

I like this from punchdrunkwolves:

"In a very short time, he took an anxious franchise moment — Kevin Love’s contract timer ticking, Rick Adelman no longer fully invested in coaching responsibilities, the roster at large in great need of a young-talent infusion — and spun it into genuine excitement and optimism that the Timberwolves will become a championship contender again."

Feilong · Post #194 » by **Feilong** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 6:55 am

This is how i will remember Flip.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHLRD_w6cPo[/youtube]

PharmD · Post #195 » by **PharmD** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 6:57 am

C.lupus wrote:Sid Hartman said Flip had been in a coma for six weeks after coming down with pneumonia. Damn. It's even sadder to think he never got to see KAT play in a Wolves uniform ( other than summer league).

There was no way dude was gonna miss opening day. He decided to get going a couple days early to make sure he got a primo seat. Now we know: tickets in heaven are still general admission.

King Malta · Post #196 » by **King Malta** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 7:25 am

Absolutely shattered at the moment.

Found out as I was getting ready for work this morning and struggled to pay attention or get anything done the whole day.

Like just about all of us here, I didn't meet Flip or know him personally, but through his amazing dedication and contributions to the Timberwolves he left a massive inpact on me.

Basketball aside, from all accounts he was a truly kind and wonderful human being. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and players.

Thank you so much for everything you did for this team Flip, I hope they make you proud and finally bring home a ring one day for you.

RIP mate.

Tirion · Post #197 » by **Tirion** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 8:51 am

damn, Flip... Rest in peace, coach.

JohnWall2 · Post #198 » by **JohnWall2** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 8:58 am

RIP Coach.

The reaction of the players, the organisation, the nba and you TWolves fans show the rest of us what kind of a man Flip was.

Best wishes to his family and everyone else affected by this horrible news during this tough time.

Spens1 · Post #199 » by **Spens1** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 9:45 am

RIP Flip and condolences to the Saunders family

He is a coach that transcended the basketball court and really had an impact with all of those who where lucky to have spent time with him. Its sad that he will never see this core grow and become a force but he has really given the Timberwolves something they haven't had in a long time and its that spark.

Thank you for all that you have given to the Timberwolves as well as the nba and thank you to the Saunders family for sharing him with all of us.

SMTBSI · Post #200 » by **SMTBSI** » Mon Oct 26, 2015 9:48 am

I had no idea this was even going on

Stopped me dead in my tracks when I walked by a tv and saw the headline.

There's nothing you can say.. too young. Condolences to his family.. and to all of you in the Timberwolves family.