The Chicago Bulls are not going to have an issue with tension in their backcourt next season, at least as far as Jimmy Butler is concerned.
During an appearance on ESPN’s “First Take” earlier this week, Butler said that he and Rose are both very supportive of one another.
“I think he’s always been supportive of me being aggressive, especially on offense,” Butler said. “We all know that I’ll be the aggressor on defense. So from what I can tell, the guy’s always been in my corner.”
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.
While it’s certainly possible that the two were irritated with one another, Butler doesn’t think there will be any lasting effects.
“The only reason that it came up is because we lost,” he added. “I don’t think we have any beef or whatever you want to call it. I think we just want to win. We didn’t win, so now [people say] we’re beefing, now we have a problem with each other, and I don’t think that’s the case.”
Butler admitted that he has had teammates in the past with whom he did not get along, but he insists Rose isn’t one of them. He also admitted that the two are not really friends off the court.
We’re sure the media will keep a close eye on the relationship between the two Bulls guards going forward.
