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Wizards, preparing for opener, reflect on loss of former coach Flip Saunders

John Wall will be back in Orlando on Wednesday for the Washington Wizards‘ season opener. Five years to the day, he played his first NBA game against the Orlando Magic. Wall shot 19 times, something he did only 11 times last year. The Wizards were blown out. Times were dismal.

Not long after he was drafted No. 1 overall that season, his new coach, Flip Saunders, invited Wall to his house. For a week, they worked out, began a relationship and spent time with Saunders’ family.

“It was a great opportunity,” Wall said Monday.