The NBA has lost a great coaching legend. Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations, Phil "Flip" Saunders, died at the age of sixty, Sunday, because of complications from Hodgkins Lymphoma -The Minnesota Timberwolves announced.
Back in August, Saunders told everyone that he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Doctors advised him that the cancer is curable and treatable. Despite the disease, he continued to work with the team. Being driven by his love for basketball. On September, The Timberwolves announced that Saunders will be taking a leave of absence because of the deterioration of his health from battling the cancer while undergoing treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma. As a temporary replacement, Sam Mitchell was named interim coach and Milt Newton leading the front office.
His life was all about basketball and the NBA. Mostly, he was well known for his support towards The Minnesota Timberwolves. He had forty basketball years under his belt. And he supported the National Basketball Association for twenty of those years. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver mourns Saunders' passing, stating that he (Flip Saunders) had a genuine and consistent passion for basketball - the team, the players and the game.
Everyone in the basketball industry is mourning for the loss of Saunders. Garnett posted a photo online, in Facebook, of him sitting in Saunders' parking space. Owner of the Timberwolves, Glen Taylor also expressed sentiments that he was the example of a true leader defined by his kindness and integrity.
Hodgkins lymphoma is a type of lymphoma that attacks the body's white blood cells, called lymphocytes. This type of cancer occurs slightly in males than in females. The cancer can invade the bloodstream and can spread to other parts of the body.
Saunders left behind his wife, Debbie, and four children. Ryan Saunders, Flip's son, is a current NBA Assistant coach.
