MINNEAPOLIS — Kevin McHale shook up the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday, firing longtime friend Flip Saunders and taking over the coaching duties for the rest of the season.
McHale, the team's vice president of basketball operations, called Saunders on Saturday morning to break the news.
"We talked this morning, and it was very, very hard," McHale said. "We've known each other for a long time, but our last 32 games we're 12-20, and just not playing at a level that's acceptable, energy-wise.
"Maybe a new voice will help. I'm going to do my best to get these guys competing at a higher level."
Saunders, who had the second-longest tenure among NBA coaches, will be reassigned within the organization, the team said.
Minnesota is 25-26 this season, a disappointment after last season's franchise-best 58-24 mark.
HUDSON HAS STROKE: Lou Hudson, one of only three Atlanta Hawks players to have their numbers retired, has suffered a stroke, team spokesman Arthur Triche said Saturday.
"We don't know the severity of it at this time," Triche said.
The 60-year-old Hudson lives in Park City. A six-time NBA All-Star, Hudson was a 1966 first-round draft pick of the St. Louis Hawks. Known as "Sweet Lou," Hudson spent 11 of his 13 NBA seasons with the Hawks and averaged 20.2 points.
BRYANT PRACTICES: Kobe Bryant practiced Saturday for the first time in four days, and could play for the Los Angeles Lakers against Cleveland on Sunday.
Bryant participated in the whole practice and moved "pretty well" on his severely sprained right ankle, Lakers spokesman John Black said.
Bryant told team officials he was about 75 percent.