Flip Saunders passes away due to cancer at age 60

Known for his success in coaching the Minnesota Timberwolves and developing Kevin Garnett from a kid straight out of high school to an MVP-winning athlete, Saunders also served briefly as an advisor to the Boston Celtics during the 2012 postseason.

From ESPN: 

Flip Saunders, who tallied more than 1,000 victories over a 35-year coaching career that included successful stops with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons, died Sunday of cancer at age 60.  

He also coached the Washington Wizards during a career that spanned 17 seasons as an NBA head coach and included 654 victories.  

Saunders announced in August that he was being treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma. Doctors considered it "very treatable and curable," and Saunders at the time said he planned to remain the Timberwolves' head coach and president of basketball operations. However, he was hospitalized following a setback in September, and it was announced Friday that Saunders would miss the entire 2015-16 season.

Our thoughts go out to Saunders' family, the Timberwolves franchise, and all the athletes whose lives he affected. May he rest in peace.

Update: Kevin Garnett shared the touching photo below, paying tribute to Saunders.



Photo: REUTERS/Brian Snyder