Flip Saunders takes leave of absence for cancer fight

Flip Saunders has been hospitalized for testing and Celtics Marcus Smart Jersey treatment following a setback in his fight with cancer, leaving his leadership roles with the Minnesota Timberwolves indefinitely to focus on his health.

The Timberwolves confirmed Friday that assistant Sam Mitchell will take over as interim coach for Saunders, who is also the president of basketball operations. General manager Milt Newton's responsibilities also will expand with the absence of the 60-year-old Saunders, who was diagnosed this summer with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Timberwolves chief executive Rob Moor, citing the desire for privacy for Saunders and his family, declined to speak specifically about Saunders' condition during a news conference. The team said Saunders recently experienced complications from chemotherapy treatments.
"Our first priority is making sure Flip regains http://www.officialtimberwolvesshop.com/authentic-24-anthony-bennet... his strength and is back to 100 percent before he is back to work," Moor said. "And while there is no timetable for Flip's return, we believe it will be measured in months, and not weeks. To attempt to place a timeline on things at this time would be unfair to the due process of recovery."

Training camp starts Sept. 28. The season opener is Oct. 28.

"We have complete confidence in the abilities of Milt and Sam. Flip hand-picked these two professional gentlemen exactly for this reason," Moor said.

The Timberwolves issued a statement from the Saunders family expressing gratitude for his medical team and appreciation of the support from family, friends, colleagues and fans.

"We are fully committed to Flip's long-term Kings Jason Thompson Jersey health and look forward to him returning to his Timberwolves responsibilities at the appropriate time," the statement said.

Owner Glen Taylor told team executives not to try to speak with Saunders for now.

"We've been in touch to be supportive, but you know Flip: He's going to want to talk about team stuff. So we have not spoken to him," Moor said.

Saunders was diagnosed with the cancer of the immune system in June. He announced his condition in August, when he said his doctors called his prognosis "very treatable and curable." Saunders, who is also part owner of the franchise, hoped then to be ready to resume his responsibilities when training camp cranked up.
Mitchell and Newton repeatedly said they were focused on keeping their up-and-coming team running smoothly out of loyalty to Saunders. If they've been emotionally shaken by this recent turn, they kept that hidden Friday.

"I think Flip would be disappointed if we http://www.officialnuggetsshop.com/authentic-1-alonzo-gee-jersey.html were not up to the task," Newton said, adding: "We would go about our day-to-day jobs as if Flip was here, because we know what the vision is. We're all in tune with that, and that's our goal to take things forward with Flip's presence or with his absence."