Jimmy Butler: Relationship With Derrick Rose Is 'Fine'
(CBS) In his first public comments addressing reports of tension with teammate Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler told Rolling Stone he doesn't believe there's any problems between the Bulls' two stars.
Following Chicago's ugly season-ending loss to Cleveland in the Eastern Conference semifinals, 670 The Score's Dan Bernstein reported that Rose and Butler had "tensions building in recent weeks with Butler's emergence as a primary scorer." Butler didn't read the report, he said, but he disputed it.
"I don't think we have any issues," Butler said, according to Rolling Stone. "I think we're fine. 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.
"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. 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."
On Wednesday when NBA free agency opened, Butler agreed to a five-year max deal with the Bulls that's worth up to $95 million depending on where the salary cap falls, so he'll be in Chicago for the long term (Butler holds a player option for the fifth year). How well Butler and Rose mesh will largely determine the heights the Bulls can reach in the next few years.
The responsibility of creating the harmony now falls onto new coach Fred Hoiberg, who replaced the fired Tom Thibodeau. Butler's early impression of Hoiberg has been positive.
"He's a really good coach," Butler said. "He knows what he's doing. He has some great offensive schemes and a great coaching staff. I think he's gonna be good for the Bulls. I think Chicago will like him. He's a very likeable guy, very successful at the college level and hopefully he can bring it to the Bulls."