saunders' points of the past

Point guard to point guard, Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders invests himself in the men who play the same position he did in high school and college. Here's a look at those he guided as coach for the Wolves, Pistons and Wizards: JERRY ZGODA

stephon marbury

He broke Flip Saunders' heart by demanding a trade to New Jersey and sabotaged a career headed toward greatness because he couldn't accept being second wheel to teammate Kevin Garnett.

chauncey billups

He shuttled between point and shooting guard with three different teams in four seasons before becoming the Wolves' point guard. He then moved on to Detroit, where he again played for Saunders.

terrell brandon

Acquired in the trade that sent Marbury away, he played two full seasons for the Wolves before knee injuries derailed him for all or parts of the next three seasons, then ended his career.

Troy hudson

A Kevin Garnett favorite, he played five seasons — three of them injury-riddled — in Minnesota, earning a big contract. The team ultimately bought him out days after they traded Garnett.

sam cassell

He'd played 10 seasons for five different NBA teams, but never made an All-Star Game or an All-NBA team until he came to Minnesota for two seasons with Garnett and Saunders.

john wall

Saunders coached the No. 1 overall pick during his rookie season, when Wall finished second to 2009 No. 1 overall pick Blake Griffin (injured in 2009) in 2010-11 Rookie of the Year voting.