Robb: Garnett, Celtics' Players React To Tragic Death Of Flip Saunders
/ CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- The start of the NBA season will begin on a solemn note this week after Timberwolves head coach and president of basketball operations Flip Saunders passed away on Sunday at age 60 following a battle with cancer.
Saunders was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in June, the same ailment that affected Red Sox manager John Farrell over the past few months. Farrell spoke about connecting with Saunders earlier this week as both battled the disease.
Saunders continued working for the Wolves during the NBA Draft and free agency this summer after being diagnosed, but took a step back from the team last month as complications with his condition arose. The franchise announced earlier in October that Saunders would miss the entire season. The sudden loss of one of the most respected coaches and personalities around the league was met with much sadness around the league, as everyone from commissioner Adam Silver, Danny Ainge and college head coaching legend Tom Izzo released heartfelt statements about Saunders. The news hit former Celtic and current Timberwolf Kevin Garnett particularly hard. The 6-foot-11 forward spent the majority of his career playing for Saunders and reportedly left the Wolves practice devastated when he heard of Saunders' passing. He posted this tribute to his former coach on Facebook Sunday afternoon.
Forever in my heart....
Saunders also had ties to the Celtics organization, serving as a consultant to the coaching staff during the 2012 postseason, during which Boston made a surprise run to the Eastern Conference finals. Assistant coach Jamie Young reflected on that time spent with Saunders in a tweet on Sunday.
Sad to hear the news on Flip Saunders. Spent a lot of time with him in 2012 with the Celtics. He was a great coach but a better person. #NBA
Young was just one of several current members of the Celtics organization to express their condolences on social media Sunday to the Wolves and Saunders' family.
