Sam Mitchell (Photo : Photo: NBA.com)
Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach, Sam Mitchell, is set to be promoted to interim duties as Flip Saunders undergoes chemotherapy.
Last August, news broke that the team's president and head coach, Saunders, has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma - a treatable type of cancer that affects the immune system.
Though Saunders is still expected to man the sidelines for the T-Wolves at different points of the season, Mitchell will be given the freedom to run the team's fast-paced system.
Mitchell looks to pass on knowledge and experience to a youthful squad headed by top draft picks Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns, as well as wily point guard Ricky Rubio.
Of course, Mitchell will also have a former teammate to help him provide veteran leadership, in the presence of Kevin Garnett.
After trading away the future Hall of Famer to the Celtics in 2007, the Timberwolves became a constant fixture at the bottom of the Western Conference standings.
Now, with a young, promising core mixed with some reliable old-timers such as the come-backing Garnett, high-scoring guard Kevin Martin, and the newly acquired Tayshaun Prince, Minnesota has a strong chance to climb out of the cellar and into playoff contention.
The only question is if Sam Mitchell can tap into his players' potential and bring out the best in them.
In the 2006-07 NBA season, Sam Mitchell steered the Toronto Raptors from relative obscurity to the playoffs, en route to winning the 2006-07 Coach of the Year.
The former Mercer Bears standout also had assistant coaching stints with the Milwaukee Bucks and New Jersey Nets.
Mitchell even spent ten seasons collectively wearing the Minnesota Timberwolves jersey, which makes it more intriguing for fans if he can finally get their beloved team over the hump.
