MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – When Flip Saunders officially took over as coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, he assumed a unique position of power in the NBA.
Saunders is now the team president, the head coach and a part-owner in Minnesota. The status gives him as much influence on his team as any one person in the league, and he says he’s ready to handle it.
The Clippers’ Doc Rivers, the Pistons’ Stan Van Gundy and the Spurs’ Gregg Popovich wield both front office and coaching authority. Now Saunders joins that list.
Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor says it’s not his preferred setup. And he is leaving open the option that Saunders will move back into the front office exclusively in the near future.
But both say it was the best option available.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Two people with knowledge of the decision tell The Associated Press that Flip Saunders is moving out of the front office to coach the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Saunders was hired last season as president of basketball operations. After the team’s search to replace the retired Rick Adelman was snagged by Kevin Love’s uncertain future in Minnesota, it was determined that Saunders should step in to coach the team. The people requested anonymity Thursday because the team has not officially announced the move.
Saunders coached the team from 1995-2005. He has taken the Timberwolves to the only eight playoff appearances in franchise history, including the Western Conference finals in 2004.
Saunders will continue to work with GM Milt Newton in the front office while handling coaching duties.
