Thus, the Pacers took the Bulls' place as the toughest team to face for the Miami Heat in the East. The Pacers and Bulls both contend in the same Central division, and many wonder if a new rivalry is afoot for both squads as they contend right up there with Miami in the Eastern Conference.
For Rose — who's now back this season with the Bulls and has been on a tear in the preseason — he doesn't quite see it.
“People say that it’s a rivalry, but I don’t really see it,” Rose told ESPN Chicago. “I say the team that is more like a rivalry is when Darren Collison was on the team. That one was more like a rivalry, but this team is a great team. They’ve already proven themselves last year by making it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
“If anything, by probably in a year or two, it could become a rival. But right now, people say it’s a rival. … I just don’t see it right now.”
The fact that Rose says this just shows how far behind he has been with the NBA. The last time Rose faced the Pacers, in fact, was when Darren Collison was on the team. Since then, Collison played with the Dallas Mavericks and is now getting his head hit by basketballs on the Los Angeles Clippers.
Rose will be facing a much more revamped Pacers team this year, so he may have to switch up his statement as the season rolls by.
This article was written by Josh Dhani. Follow him on Twitter here and read more of his work here.
