Timberwolves pay tribute to former head coach Flip Saunders
Feb 18, 2018, 12:07 PM
(AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Thanks to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Karl Anthony-Towns and Kickstradomis, longtime head coach Flip Saunders got a truly fitting tribute.
On Thursday, in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Timberwolves went all out in honoring the late coach, who passed away in 2015.
Sal Amezcua, or Kickstradomis, created custom colorways on each of the Timberwolves’ players’ shoes, ingraining Saunders name and likenesses into each one. Anthony-Towns partnered up with Amezcua to make it all happen — the artist has done a number of custom shoes for the big man — and commissioned the works.
Here is how the custom-shoe tribute came about.
Following the game, the shoes were to be auctioned off, with the proceeds going toward the Flip Saunders Legacy Fund.
On top of potentially walking away with custom kicks, fans received a commemorative Flip Saunders coin, similar to the ones the coach would create each season for his players, coaches and the occasional fan.
Former players also shared their memories and thoughts of Saunders during a pregame ceremony.
Adding to the touching tribute, former players, family members and those who were close to him shared their thoughts and memories of Saunders before a permanent “FLIP” banner was raised in his honor at Target Center.
During his 12-year run with the Timberwolves, Saunders posted a 427-392 record, including eight consecutive postseason berths from 1995-2005. His team made the Western Conference Finals in 2004, losing to the Lakers in six games.
#ForFlip