T'Wolves Game Begins With 30-Minute Tribute To Flip Saunders

The T'Wolves "said their public farewell" to late President of Basketball Operations and coach Flip Saunders with last night's "pregame video tribute" prior to a home loss to the Trail Blazers. The opening tip came "30 minutes later than usual after coaching peers, Wolves players and coaches and others who knew Saunders well offered their praise and observations in two video segments." There was also a live performance of Leonard Cohen’s song "Hallelujah." T'Wolves rookie C Karl-Anthony Towns said, "I was crying the whole time" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 11/3).

The video included appearances by Adam Silver, Larry Bird, Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich, Chauncey Billups and "every one" of the T'Wolves players. The lone exception was Kevin Garnett, who "wanted to participate but was too overcome with emotion to speak on camera" (AP, 11/2).