Farewell Flip

Flip Tribute (doc, the alien, and larry legend, among others)

Doc, Flip and the 7.5 Mile Walk

Coach Doc Rivers on Monday at practice talked about some of good times he had with Flip Saunders, the former head coach who died Sunday at age 60 after a fight with cancer.

“We were very close, obviously,” Rivers said. “Coaching the Goodwill Games together was where our relationship started.”

His favorite memory came when Saunders began flying with Rivers’ Boston Celtics during the 2012 playoffs as an unofficial assistant coach after Saunders was fired by the Washington Wizards that January.

Rivers and Saunders had a deal where they would walk back to the hotel after a road game, regardless of the distance. The first round in Atlanta was a 2-mile walk.

“Then we got to Philly and that walk was 7 1/2 miles and so the first game we did it, the second game we did it,” Rivers said. “And then we lost (Game 6), which we could have knocked them out. We go back in the coaches’ room and everybody’s down. But Flip looked just despondent.

“And I was like, ‘Why are you so upset?’ He said, ‘I don’t care about the loss, I’m pissed because we have to talk back to the hotel 7 1/2 miles.’ And we did it. He was just great to be around. I love him. It’s really sad.”

Saunders Reunited with KG in Boston

June 7, 2012

Two weeks ago, the Washington Times published an article on former Timberwolves coach FlipSaunders' involvement with the Boston Celtics coaching staff during the playoffs. Celticscoach Doc Rivers brought in Saunders as an adviser for the team's postseason run, which would move into the NBA Finals if the Celtics can defeat Miami on Thursday night.

Flip Saunders will Serve as Advisor to Celtics

May 25, 2012

PHILADELPHIA | In his 2 1/2 seasons in Washington, former Wizards coach Flip Saunders often smiled wistfully when talking about the best player he ever coached, Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett.

Drafted by Minnesota out of high school at age 19, Garnett teamed with Saunders to lead the Timberwolves to eight playoff appearances, including a trip to the Western Conference final in 2004. Garnett was voted MVP that year.

Fast forward to 2012, and Saunders and Garnett are reunited - Garnett as a 36-year-old veteran nearing the end of his career and Saunders as a playoff adviser to Celtics coach Doc Rivers, a longtime friend. Right now, their focus is on Game 7 of their series against Philadelphia on Saturday. At stake is a trip to the Eastern Conference final.

Celtics Face Pistons with Flip's Job on the Line

May 29, 2008 Thursday 10:52 PM GMT

Flip Saunders doesn't sound like a coach worried about his future.

The Boston Celtics won Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, pushing the Detroit Pistons to the brink of elimination and a possible shake up.

R.I.P. Flip

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