Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose are going to be teammates with the Chicago Bulls for at least two more seasons. Does that mean they will be become best friends during that time? No, but no one said they need to.
In an interview with Rolling Stone’s Seerat Sohi, Butler was asked about the recent report that claimed there there is tension between him and Rose. The 25-year-old downplayed it, although he didn’t exactly issue a firm denial.
“I don’t think we have any issues. I think we’re fine,” Butler said. “I think we’re two basketball players that want to win games. That’s where I’ll leave it at. I think we just wanna win, bring a championship the city, to the organization. I think that’s our job. And I think we’re gonna do whatever it takes to make that happen. I have a lot of respect for the guy.”
Butler had a breakout season last year and shined while Rose was out with another injury. During a playoff loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Rose supposedly became frustrated that Butler was trying to run the team’s offense.
Butler said he can’t deny the report because he never read it.
“I never read the reports so I couldn’t tell you what they said. To tell you the truth, if you read it, something’s going to piss you off, so I really don’t,” he said. “There’s a lot of people that think I’m a terrible basketball player, so it’s just gonna piss me off. And if it’s people who think I’m good, I’ll be happy. I’m just not gonna read it at all and stay content in my own mind.”
If there was any type of serious rift between Butler and Rose, the former probably wouldn’t have signed a five-year, $95 million deal to remain with the Bulls. New head coach Fred Hoiberg will just have to design an offense that keeps both Rose and Butler involved.
