Chicago Bulls Rumors: Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler At Odds After Bulls’ Embarrassing Playoff Loss


Chicago Bulls rumors indicate Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler being at odds. The Bulls need Rose and Butler to be on the same page moving forward, but a report from CBS Chicago indicates that was not the case during the 2015 NBA Playoffs. It is being suggested by Dan Bernstein that their games are conflicting, leading to the embarrassing breakdown against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He points to the fourth quarter of the Game 6 loss as a prime example.

“It made little sense that Rose attempted only four second-half shots, scored just one basket and attempted no free throws as his team surrendered meekly on its home floor in a 94-73 setback in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.”

“Rose was never asked directly why he disappeared when his team needed him most, but sources tell 670 The Score(his radio program) that a common NBA problem affected the Bulls at the worst possible time – two alpha dogs and only one basketball.”

As previously reported on the Inquisitr, the Chicago Bulls got eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second-round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs. Despite the elimination game being played in Chicago, the Bulls lost 94-73 to a team they felt they could beat. Derrick Rose would finish with just 14 points (7-of-16 shooting), and Jimmy Butler would score 20 points in the game. They were the only two Bulls players to score in double-figures.

Butler was offered a contract extension from the Bulls right before the 2014-15 NBA season was to begin, but he turned it down to test free agency. Yahoo! Sports reported that he will now become a restricted free agent, meaning other teams can offer him a new deal, but that the Bulls have the option to match any offer. It could lead to a contentious NBA offseason, especially if Butler is offered several free agent deals. Butler spoke about the negotiations at the time, suggesting that maybe the offer wasn’t enough.

“It came down to me deciding that I want to bet on myself. It was about me believing that I put the work in this summer to become a better player with the hope that my improvement will give the Bulls a better chance to win a championship.”

When Derrick Rose missed a lot of regular season games, it was Jimmy Butler that stepped up as the leader of the team in that span. Rose would return right before the NBA Playoffs were to begin and the tandem helped the Bulls win a first-round playoff series. During the year, Butler averaged 20 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.75 steals per game. Butler also shot 46.2 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from three-point range. Rose averaged 17.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. As for the shooting numbers for Rose, he was at 40.5 percent from the field and 28 percent from three-point range.

It has been clear for a while that Jimmy Butler wants a maximum contract, which could be tough for the Bulls to offer this offseason. After what can best be described as a meltdown by the team against the Cleveland Cavaliers, even more Chicago Bulls rumors are going to pop up before next season. Now, the front office has to decide whether a tandem of Butler and Derrick Rose can actually succeed in the NBA Playoffs.

[Image Source: Christian Petersen/Getty Images]

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