Timberwolves resume practice with heavy hearts after Flip Saunders’ death

One day after the death of Flip Saunders, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ coach and president of basketball operations, players and other team personnel attempted to move on but also prepared to honor the legacy of a man who meant so much to the organization.

Saunders died Sunday at age 60 from complications due to Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“Flip was a great friend of mine who had a lot of influence on me. It’s tough to see anyone go at such a young age,” said General Manager Milt Newton on Monday, adding he was not addressing any specific medical questions per a request from the Saunders family. “We would go to lunch every day and talk about basketball and life. It’s very difficult. ...He’s not here physically but I believe he will be here spiritually.”

Added Sam Mitchell, who took over as interim head coach when Saunders fell ill: “You’re still kind of shocked.”

The Timberwolves are attempting to move forward as best they can, a challenge given the heaviness of the news but a necessity given that they open the season Wednesday night against the Lakers at Staples Center.

Karl-Anthony Towns, drafted by Saunders and the Timberwolves with the No. 1 pick on June 25, said he will be forever grateful for that opportunity. He said he anticipated being coached by Saunders for many years to come.

“It’s a surreal moment to know I won’t be able to see him anymore or talk to him,” Towns said.

To honor Saunders’ memory, the NBA Coaches Assn. announced that coaches throughout the league would wear special “Flip” lapel pins this season.

James ready to go

His lower back feeling better, his body refreshed, LeBron James declared himself ready for his 13th NBA season.

Sidelined for nearly two weeks after receiving an anti-inflammatory injection, James was able to fully participate in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ practice for the second consecutive day and said he’ll play Tuesday in the season opener at Chicago.

“I feel good,” he said. “I’m ready to go. I’ll be active tomorrow.”

Coach David Blatt, however, said that the team will closely monitor James’ minutes.

Warriors look back

The Golden State Warriors will raise their championship banner Tuesday night at Oracle Arena with Coach Steve Kerr in attendance before he leaves to rest his surgically repaired back, which has forced him to the sidelines since he experienced problems the first week of training camp.

Interim coach Luke Walton will lead the way for the opener, with Kerr’s timetable for returning still unclear. He was at practice Monday, taking a seat at the end.

Representatives of the three other Warriors championship teams will be in attendance: Rick Barry for 1975, Walt Davis of the 1956 Philadelphia Warriors and Howie Dallmar Jr., son of the late 1947 titlist Howie Dallmar.

New era in Chicago

The Chicago Bulls open a new era under coach Fred Hoiberg when they host the Cavaliers on Tuesday night.

Gone is hard-driving, defensive-oriented coach Tom Thibodeau. In his place is the freewheeling Hoiberg, with a fast-paced offense and an approach that management hopes will preserve the team for the stretch run.

“I feel very fortunate to be in this position, to come to a team that we feel can be very competitive,” said Hoiberg, who came to Chicago after a five-year run at Iowa State that produced four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and back-to-back Big 12 tournament titles. “If we do everything right, we’ll be competing at the highest level.”

With stars such as Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler and Pau Gasol, he sees himself succeeding where other coaches who have made the leap from colleges to the NBA did not.

Etc.

The Detroit Pistons waived veteran forward Danny Granger.