Wolves to honor former Gopher Flip Saunders, will raise banner on Feb 15

per the Wolves:

The Minnesota Timberwolves have announced plans for “Flip Saunders Night” at Target Center on Thursday, February 15. The Wolves will host the Los Angeles Lakers, with tip slated for 8 pm Central.

The centerpiece of the evening will be the unveiling of a permanent banner in Target Center to honor the memory of Flip. Other elements will include a donation by the Timberwolves Fast Break Foundation to the Flip Saunders Legacy Fund. Additionally, all fans in attendance will receive a Flip Saunders commemorative coin. One of Flip’s trademarks during his tenure with the Wolves was to create a new team coin each season for players and front office staff, then randomly give them to people he would encounter as a way to include fans on that season’s journey.

“Minnesota has always been our family’s home”, said Debbie Saunders, widow of Flip Saunders. “Flip not only had a passion for the Timberwolves but for basketball in the State of Minnesota. We are incredibly grateful to the Timberwolves for memorializing Flip in such a moving way and having his memory live on inside Target Center forever.”

“Flip meant so much to our organization as a coach, but he meant so much more to all of us as a friend,” said Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor. “His impact on our organization and what he meant to the Minnesota basketball community is something that will always be with us. It is appropriate that we honor the man who meant so much to us with of a banner in our home arena that will forever fortify his memory.”

Saunders compiled an overall record of 427-392 (.521) in 12 seasons covering two different stints with the organization. From 1995-2005, he guided the Timberwolves to eight consecutive playoff appearances, highlighted by an appearance in the 2004 NBA Western Conference Finals. Upon his return in 2013, Saunders assumed the role of President of Basketball Operations. Prior to the 2014-15 season, Saunders added the duties of head coach to his responsibilities. In addition to the Timberwolves, Saunders was head coach of the Detroit Pistons (2005-2008), guiding them to three straight appearances in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Saunders also was the head coach of the Washington Wizards (2009-2011) prior to his return to Minnesota.

http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/timberwolves-hold-flip-saunders-night-february-15

Go Gophers!!

T-Wolves getting rid of Flip was, imho, a huge mistake. Detroit getting rid of him was a huge mistake as well.

Gopher bb never bringing him in way back in the day was also a mistake, he may have prevented the whole Clem Haskins thing and instead led us to UConn kind of success. The Men's version of UConn, lol, I'm realistic.

RIP Flip!!!

STrib: Wolves prepare to honor former coach Flip Saunders

It only took the mention of Flip Saunders’ name for Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau go all “six degrees of sentimentality.’’

In a pregame ceremony at Target Center on Thursday, Saunders — who coached the Timberwolves for 11 seasons in two stints — will be honored. With some former players — including current Lakers assistant coach Mark Madsen — in the house, a banner will be raised to the rafters in the arena.

And it’s only right, said Thibodeau, whose connection to Saunders goes way back. “We’re thrilled we’re going to be honoring him,’’ he said. “For what he’s meant to the organization, the city. He’s synonymous with Minnesota basketball.’’

Thibodeau was an original Wolves assistant, working for Bill Musselman, who was Saunders’ coach at the University of Minnesota. “You think about that connection, to get the organization off the ground the way he did, and to come back and get it going again? You think Minnesota basketball you think of him, Bill, Kevin McHale, Kevin Garnett,’’ Thibodeau said.

Fans attending “Flip Saunders Night” will see the ceremony, the lifting of a banner in his honor and will receive a commemorative coin; Saunders used to make a coin for each season, giving it to players, members of the organization and fans. Special sneakers created for each player will be auctioned off postgame to benefit the Flip Saunders Legacy Fund.

Saunders succumbed to Hodgkins lymphoma in October of 2015.

It promises to be an emotional event, considering son Ryan is still a Wolves assistant, daughter Rachel works in the organization and wife Debbie still attends most games.

“It’s big to see the love they still have for the organization,’’ Karl-Anthony Towns said. “I’m very honored to call [Flip] a friend.’’

http://www.startribune.com/wolves-prepare-to-honor-former-coach-flip-saunders/474087223/

Go Gophers!!