Former NBA coach Flip Saunders is no longer with us in physical form, but the memories and lessons he shared continue to resonate with his former players, including Utah Jazz point guard Ricky Rubio.

On Thursday night, Rubio sent out a special dedication to honor Saunders' legacy. In his caption, Rubio wrote one of the motivational phrases that Saunders often reiterated: “We over me.”

Saunders was involved with basketball from a young age. He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he became an All-state basketball player Cuyahoga Heights High School. After high school, Saunders attended the University of Minnesota, where he played in all but two games (101 of his 103 career contests).

Following his days of playing, Saunders began his coaching career at Golden Valley Lutheran College, where he racked up a 92–13 overall record in four seasons, including a perfect 56–0 mark at home. In 1981, he accepted an assistant coach position from his alma mater, Minnesota. Flip and the Golden Gophers made it all the way to the Big-10 championship that season. And after one more coaching stop at the University of Tulsa, Saunders made his way to the pro ranks.

From 1988 to 2015, Saunders served as a coach with several different teams, including the Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons and Washington Wizards. As a testament to his play-calling prowess, he was named head coach of the All-Star Game twice over that span (2004, 2006).

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In what was his first full season as an NBA head coach (1996-97), Saunders led Kevin Garnett and the Timberwolves to their first playoff berth. One season later, he led the Timberwolves to their first winning campaign. Minnesota went on to post a franchise-record 50 victories in 1999–2000.

During his second term of service with the Timberwolves (2014-15), Saunders was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. As a result, portions of his head coaching duties that season were delegated to Sam Mitchell and Milt Newton. All in all, Flip racked up 427 wins with Minnesota, which is the most by any coach in franchise history by quite a wide margin.

In what can only be described as a feel-good story for fans in Minnesota, Flip's son, Ryan, is now serving as the head coach for the Timberwolves.

Without a doubt, Timberwolves fans hold a special place in their hearts for Flip, and it's clear that Rubio shares this sentiment.