Ryan Saunders approached forward Taj Gibson before Monday’s game about starting Dario Saric in his place. Saunders, in Gibson’s view, looked like he was anticipating a difficult conversation.
It took a turn the Timberwolves interim coach wasn’t expecting.
“I guess he thought it was going to be an awkward conversation,” Gibson said. “And when he said it to me, I said, ‘Nah. It’s no big deal.’ Then we just started laughing.”
“Then we hugged it out,” Saunders said.
There are some players who might perceive Saunders’ move as a demotion and not take it well, but Gibson isn’t one of those.