For months now, there have been whispers of tension between Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler. Butler had a breakout season last year, making his first All-Star team and winning Most Improved Player, while Rose had an inconsistent, injury-filled season, leading to rumors that there was friction between them about whose team the Bulls were.
Not so, according to Rose, in a new interview with CSN Chicago:
That’s a pretty strong statement without a lot of equivocating. Rose is right that Bulls need both him and Butler to play at a high level in order to contend. Rose made his preseason debut Friday night against the Mavericks, and he looked like a natural fit in Fred Hoiberg’s offense playing alongside Butler. As long as they’re winning, things should be fine.