The T'Wolves "intend to wear a patch on their uniforms and/or warmups this season to honor" late President of Basketball Operations and coach Flip Saunders, who passed away Sunday at the age of 60 after battling cancer, according to Jerry Zgoda of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. T'Wolves Owner Glen Taylor said that he expects players to "write their own expressions on their shoes or ankle tape." Taylor: "That’s kind of a tradition when people are thinking of other people." Taylor added he is "certain" there will be a remembrance for Saunders before Monday’s home opener against the Trail Blazers. NBA Coaches Association President Rick Carlisle said that the organization "will honor the memory of Saunders by having league coaches wear a 'Flip' lapel pin this season" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/27). T'Wolves GM Milt Newton yesterday said that there "were discussions with the league about whether or not to play" tomorrow's season-opener against the Lakers. But he added, "For right now, I believe the games will be played as scheduled" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 10/27). NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said there would be a "moment of silence throughout the league tonight" to honor Saunders ("Mike & Mike," ESPN Radio, 10/27). NBA TV's David Aldridge said of Saunders, "Everywhere he went, people liked him because he's a likable guy. He was never a guy that held grudges. He was never a guy that wasn't available. He always was kind of upbeat and positive and just a genuinely good guy. I think that's why it resonated so strongly with a lot of people throughout the NBA. ... He didn't feel like he was a big shot, but he felt like he could compete with anybody. That's what kind of made him a fun guy to be around” (“NBA GameTime,” NBA TV, 10/26).
MISSING IN ACTION: In Minneapolis, Chip Scoggins notes the T'Wolves organization "lost its patriarch with Saunders’ death." Scoggins: "He was their leader, their coach, their president of basketball operations, their part owner. He was everything to everyone, and so how do they begin to fill that void when one man meant so much to the entire operation? In short, they can’t, at least not right away." But Saunders' vision "cannot be obscured in this time of grief," because he "poured so much of himself into his blueprint and believed so strongly in the direction, that the Wolves owe it to him, to his legacy and to themselves to carry forward with his mission." Newton said that Taylor has granted him and interim coach Sam Mitchell "'autonomy' to make important decisions." Scoggins notes whether Taylor "eventually hires another president of basketball operations remains a long-term question, for another time" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 10/27).
FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH: With $100M in arena renovations set to be completed by the fall of ’17 and an improving roster of players led by the likes of the last two No.1 overall picks in the NBA Draft -- C Karl-Anthony Towns and G Andrew Wiggins -- the T’Wolves are looking to fill seats at the Target Center. The team has seen a 90% season-ticket renewal rate for the ’15-16 campaign. Single-game tickets recently went on sale, but early results have not yet been determined. T’Wolves VP/Communications Brad Ruiter said the team is “not focusing marketing efforts on any one player, however, trying to focus more on the team and our young core of talent, along with proven veteran leaders.” As a reward for fan loyalty, one of this year’s marketing promotions will be giveaways throughout the season from a custom set of bobble heads featuring Wiggins, Towns, Gs Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine, as well as C Gorgui Dieng -- all of which are 25 or younger (Mark Bulovas, Staff Writer).
