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Flip Saunders has cancer, will continue as Timberwolves president/coach

Flip Saunders

Minnesota Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders speaks to the crowd during a Timberwolves NBA basketball draft party in Minneapolis, Thursday, June 25, 2015. Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns was picked No. 1 by the Timberwolves. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

AP

A couple months ago, Flip Saunders said he planned to continue coaching the Timberwolves.

It appears not even a scary medical issue will stop him.

Behind Kevin Garnett, Saunders is probably the most influential person in Timberwolves history. Saunders has coached the team to more wins in his two stints than anyone else combined. He also runs the front office and even owns a share of the franchise.

He has done a lot for Minnesota, including – as this timeline details – overseeing the 2015 draft process while dealing with his Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. That resulted in the Timberwolves selecting Karl-Anthony Towns No. 1 to join an exciting young core headlined by Andrew Wiggins.

Saunders has done an excellent job rebuilding this team after Kevin Love asked out. Hopefully, Saunders fulfills his plan to stay on duty and gets a chance to see his vision through.