The NBA family lost someone Sunday who had been a part of the league since 1995.
Coach Flip Saunders, who most recently was directing the Minnesota Timberwolves organization, passed away at 60 years young due to complications with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“The Indiana Pacers offer their sincerest condolences to the family of Flip Saunders and to the Minnesota Timberwolves over the passing of a fine man and coach,” Pacers President of Basketball Operations Larry Bird said in a statement released by the team. “Flip was one of the true personalities of the NBA who combined coaching with compassion. He will be missed.”
Saunders was the head man for three franchises: Minnesota (1995-2005, 2014-15), Detroit (2005-08), and Washington (2009-2012). There are two Pacers who previously played for Saunders — and for just one season each.
Flip Saunders coached Rodney Stuckey during his rookie season in Detroit.
Rodney Stuckey spent his first seven seasons as a pro in Detroit, the first one being coached by Saunders. It was his most successful run as a pro, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008 even though they lost to Boston.
“Flip was a great guy,” Stuckey said. “I was with for one year. Great coach, great mentor. My first year was fun.
“He was just a loving individual that cared for everyone. He was very passionate about the game and very knowledgable about it. It’s definitely unfortunate that he passed away.”
Chase Budinger was traded to the Pacers this past offseason in exchange for Damjan Rudež. He was with coach Saunders during his last first season of coaching — last year in Minneapolis. Saunders carried the titles of President of Basketball Operations and Head Coach.
Budinger was out to lunch Sunday afternoon when he received several text messages from family and friends informing him of the news.
“It hit me hard just because I had so many memories of just last year of how well he was doing,” Budinger said “He had so many good things that were going well for him. He looked fine health-wise and he was energetic. Just sad to see someone like that go and for how young he was and how quickly things can turn for you. For me personally, it hit me pretty hard just thinking how precious life is and how anybody could go at anytime.
“We had a good relationship. He was such an easy-going coach. He was easy to talk to. If you had any problems he would sit and talk with you. He had so many great stories, just sitting around the locker room getting food. He was always telling us stories about when he was coaching Kevin Garnett when he was a rookie.”
Pacers head coach Frank Vogel called Saunders’ passing “sickening news.”
To honor coach Saunders, all coaches were wear a special “Flip” lapel pin.