The reported drama between Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose simply will not stop. The point guard is not at practice right now following facial surgery, but the rumors of a rift between he and Butler continue to get reported as training camp is underway. It is no secret that Butler led the team last year while Rose was injured and it was clear there was tension when the point guard returned. Now sources say Butler does not like the work ethic of Rose, causing more team drama.
According to Joe Crowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Butler and Rose are at it again as tension rises over work ethic. According to Crowley, a former Bulls member told a source that the two get along personally, but they differ professionally. The source reports that Butler does not respect the work ethic of Rose and does not like that the point guard is considered the face of the franchise while he works hard in practice every day.
Butler has made it clear to deny any drama with Rose as the point guard has done the same. Butler told the media via the Chicago Sun Times, "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."
This type of talk will likely come up again and again and again. Another issue that will plague the Bulls is the future of Joakim Noah. The center is in need of a bounce back year as he plays out the final season of his current contract. So far that has not gone as planned as the first preseason game was not overly impressive for Noah. Of course that is just the first game and everything can change, but if Noah struggles again early trade talk will begin to cloud over him. Already sources are reporting that Noah is a mid-season trade target. For now, the center is stressing that he is healthy and ready to play.
"I'm excited. Last year I wasn't healthy. I feel a lot better this year. We have a new philosophy, new coach and all I worked on this summer was just getting back to moving the way I'm capable of moving," Noah said, via Bleacher Report.
Noah is expected to start alongside Pau Gasol this season. Taj Gibson will come off the bench while Nikola Mirotic works in. The center is fighting for a pay raise and must prove that last year was simply a result of injuries and not a growing trend for him.
