Saunders health update

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

http://live.startribune.com/Event/Timberwolves_Live_Chat_with_Jerry_Zgoda_at_noon_Thursday_2?Page=0

I'm tempted to say "it's only Jerry, so it may not be accurate", but even Jerry isn't going to be sloppy with this topic. Scroll down a little on the accompanying live chat for some very sobering Flip news. Zgoda says things have changed dramatically since the first announcement in August and is now calling this a life-threatening situation. This is a very sad update. Flip is one of the good guys in the NBA, and has been part of the Minnesota sports scene since the mid-70s. I'm praying for him and his doctors, and hoping for some good news very soon.

[Coolbreeze44]

Yes, we could use some good news on this front. We've basically heard nothing until this, and this sounds almost ominous. Praying we don't get real bad news in the coming weeks. Sounds serious enough that basketball is an afterthought.

[TAFKASP]

That sucks. Hang in there Flip!!

[Monster]

Here is the response Zgoda gave to questions about Flip.

There's no question things have changed dramatically since the team announced his diagnosis in August, back when it quoted his doctors saying the cancer was very treatable and curable. Since then there have been changes to the way his body handled the chemotherapy (and maybe how much cancer they've found) that have made it life threatening. Everyone involved has gone radio silent because of the family's request for privacy and federal patient-privacy laws, etc., but between the complete silence, the lack of people visiting as far as I can tell apart from his immediate family and very inner circle while he remains hospitalized here in Minneapolis and the things I'm hearing second-hand, well, none of it is good. I'll just say this, and this is just my own opinion, if he pulls through this: I doubt very much he's back this year, it's probably unlikely he coaches again just because of the stress inherent doing both those jobs and I think there's a pretty good chance he doesn't return full time to either job. As far as the franchise goes, that will put them in a holding pattern for some time. I can't see Glen Taylor allowing Milt Newton and Sam to make a major decision until they know more about Flip's future and Glen decides who will run his team for the long term. I wouldn't assume it'll be Milt and Sam going forward, that's just for the short term until things become clearer.
Jerry Zgoda

[Lipoli390]

Very sobering news. Flip is a really good guy and all we can do is pull and pray for him. Cancer's a horrible, insidious thing. I've had 4 good friends battle it. One of them died from it a little over a year ago. Another beat it and is cancer free as of about 2 months ago. Two others are in the midst of treatment. It really puts basketball in perspective.

As far as basketball is concerned, I don't buy the notion that Flip will never return full time to either position. If he pulls through (and I think he will) I would expect him to eventually return full time to the PBO position. Probably not this year, but before next season.

In the meantime, lets all send a collective positive vibe to Flip and his family that says Flip will beat this thing. I won't bet on the Wolves to make the playoffs this season, but I'm betting on Flip.

[Monster]

Very sobering news. Flip is a really good guy and all we can do is pull and pray for him. Cancer's a horrible, insidious thing. I've had 4 good friends battle it. One of them died from it a little over a year ago. Another beat it and is cancer free as of about 2 months ago. Two others are in the midst of treatment. It really puts basketball in perspective.

As far as basketball is concerned, I don't buy the notion that Flip will never return full time to either position. If he pulls through (and I think he will) I would expect him to eventually return full time to the PBO position. Probably not this year, but before next season.

In the meantime, lets all send a collective positive vibe to Flip and his family that says Flip will beat this thing. I won't bet on the Wolves to make the playoffs this season, but I'm betting on Flip.

I agree with your take Lip if/when Flip gets healthy (best wishes) he will be back as PBO. If he needs to take it easy a bit he has Milt etc but he isn't gonna be part time. I just can't imagine after this that Glen and Flip could agree to let him coach again. I would just imagine Glen will put his foot down about hiring another coach (or maybe keep Sam) and Flip probably won't fight him too much.

Flip's health should put everything in perspective but I can't help feel sorta like it's just one more time this franchise was finally headed innthebright direction and then something derailed it. Malik Sealy liked to be that guy that would have been the solid at least average wing player they needed and he was killed by a drunk driver. Fred Hoiberg fortunately found out about his heart condition but that left a massive hole for the team off the bench and in 3 point shooting that they have never really recovered from since. Flip seemed to have this franchise humming along in a lot of phases of the organization with an amazing buzz then his health is a big deal then a major deal. If the wiser happens I wonder if this franchise could really get where it looked like we might be going. It would be great if Flip could beat this thing and help finish what he got started. Sigh every franchise has dark times but this one has had some tough gut punches over the years. Get well Flip and for more than just basketball.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Flip has had a terrible setback in his medical situation, but he is a young, fit 60 year-old man and a fighter, and I also think he is going to beat this thing...and return as PBO by next season. His medical condition has put a cloud over the team...especially the guys close to Flip have to be really down. But this will turn out to be a positive development when Flip finally gets out of the hospital and even starts coming to games eventually. I foresee a lot of "Let's win for Flip" enthusiasm in this team!

[bleedspeed]

I am pulling for Flip in his battle and will be cheering for the Wolves as they go to war.

[60WinTim]

My prayers are with Flip.

But did Zgoda really have any new news? Or did he just decide to throw something together about Flip's health by inferring from what everyone already knows?

And on the lighter side, did Flip sell his soul for this?!?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHLRD_w6cPo

God bless him!

[Carlos Danger]

Here is the response Zgoda gave to questions about Flip.

There's no question things have changed dramatically since the team announced his diagnosis in August, back when it quoted his doctors saying the cancer was very treatable and curable. Since then there have been changes to the way his body handled the chemotherapy (and maybe how much cancer they've found) that have made it life threatening. Everyone involved has gone radio silent because of the family's request for privacy and federal patient-privacy laws, etc., but between the complete silence, the lack of people visiting as far as I can tell apart from his immediate family and very inner circle while he remains hospitalized here in Minneapolis and the things I'm hearing second-hand, well, none of it is good. I'll just say this, and this is just my own opinion, if he pulls through this I doubt very much he's back this year, it's probably unlikely he coaches again just because of the stress inherent doing both those jobs and I think there's a pretty good chance he doesn't return full time to either job. As far as the franchise goes, that will put them in a holding pattern for some time. I can't see Glen Taylor allowing Milt Newton and Sam to make a major decision until they know more about Flip's future and Glen decides who will run his team for the long term. I wouldn't assume it'll be Milt and Sam going forward, that's just for the short term until things become clearer.
Jerry Zgoda

IDK. I've re-read this several times. Each time I read it, I sort of get angry. I feel like Zgoda is sort of talking out of his butt and unnecessarily creating anxiety. I've bolded statements in his quote above which are simply his opinion vs. actual facts. You'll notice - the majority of it is bolded i.e. his opinion vs. actual hard facts based on verifying sources. Now of course he could be correct on all counts. But still, it's not as if most of what he wrote was verified. It's simply his opinion.

I hope Jerry is just a lazy ding dong who has incorrect info. I'm holding out for official news/announcements on Flip's battle vs. this "second hand" gossip and speculation.