Who thought the day would come that a 1st overall pick in the draft would have to adjust to the last pick in the first round? Well, according to Butler’s agent, that day has finally come.
When the 2015 playoffs ended, the Chicago Sun-Times began a small rumor that Rose and Butler weren’t getting along. That rumored snowballed into both players feuding with one another for the alpha male role. Though, this may not true; Buler’s agent still wants Rose to adjust to Butler’s new style of playing.
But I do think what Butler's agent said today is true: Butler is one who has changed into primary scorer so Rose, as PG, must adjust.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) July 9, 2015
Derrick Rose averaged 25 points per game in his MVP season during the 2010-2011 NBA season. Since his rookie year, Rose has always been considered a shoot-first point guard. Albeit, Rose was never surrounded with scoring talent to help him grow as a player.
Then came along a 30th overall pick in the draft, Jimmy Butler. Last season, Butler averaged 20 points per game while guarding the league’s best players. Given the stagnant offense Thibodeau ran for his team, Butler’s numbers could have been significantly better. With all the injuries Derrick Rose has faced in the past three seasons, the Bulls have looked to Jimmy Butler as their new primary scorer.
Butler and Rose could be considered one of the best back-courts in the league when they’re healthy. They play well off each other, Butler made sure the media heard that from him to crush the rumors of their feud. There’s no secret Butler is growing as a player, but to say he’s outgrowing Rose is a bit of a stretch.
Sure, Butler is a max contract player and very well deserved too, but he still needs Rose to score in order to find easy baskets for himself. If the Bulls choose to make Butler their primary scorer, then Rose would have to adjust. This last season, Rose’s adjustments were very apparent. He drove to the basket a lot less and tried to whip a pass to his teammate closest to him. Rose’s highlights came less from acrobatic layups and more from acrobatic passes last season.
This is the new Derrick Rose, and if Jimmy Butler continues to grow as a player, this will be the new ultimate back-court one-two punch in the NBA.
