During an appearance on ESPN’s “First Take” earlier this week, Butler didn’t say if he and Rose had any tension during the playoff loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, blaming the extra attention on how they exited the NBA Playoffs.
“The only reason that it came up is because we lost,” he added. “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.”
Butler has continued to ascend as Rose has dealt with injuries, and last season he was elite at times while supplanting D Rose as the primary option in stretches. Butler reiterated that Rose has always been supportive and looked out for him.
“I think he’s always been supportive of me being aggressive, especially on offense,” Butler said. “We all know that I’ll be the aggressor on defense. So from what I can tell, the guy’s always been in my corner.”
Butler insist that he likes Rose, and they get along.
By Glenn Erby
