NBA: Timberwolves Coach Flip Saunders Dies of Cancer, NBA World Offer Their Condolonces
Minnesota Timberwolves head coach, president of basketball of operations and minority owner Philip "Flip" Saunders passed away at the age of 60 just months after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, per NBA.com. Flip announced that he had cancer last June, saying that it was "very treatable and curable," as reported by USA Today.
Bleacher Report noted that Saunders was still with the team for two months after his diagnosis as he helped the Timberwolves during the NBA Draft and free agency before undergoing treatment last month. Sam Mitchell was named as the interim coach for the season, and general manager Milt Newton handled the team's basketball operations, per ESPN.
The NBA World, known for its fraternity and closeness, immediately offered their condolences on their social media accounts.
Forever in my heart.... Posted by Kevin Garnett on Sunday, October 25, 2015
Saunders has an NBA coaching record of 654-594 for the Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards. He is survived by his wife Debbie and four children, including his son Ryan, who is an assistant coach for the Timberwolves, per ESPN.
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