Chicago Bulls 2015: What went wrong?
![Mar 24, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) looks on during first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports Mar 24, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose (1) looks on during first half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/55ff255203c49cddcc1776637fc3a13173ea6e6f4c6b91a17a4b23d4318c86c2.jpg)
Was there more behind the scenes friction than was let on?
There appeared to be a lot more drama going on with the Chicago Bulls behind closed doors than the public knew about.
There were rumors that were dogging the team since the end of the playoffs last season, like the one that had the team’s two best players, Rose and Butler, at odds with each other.
Both players did their best to try to dismiss those rumors, yet they persisted.
There may not be a real relationship problem between Rose and Butler, but for some reason, they have trouble complementing each other on the court. They have a -3.9 net rating when on the court together.
Butler recently told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times that he and Rose plan on training together in the offseason so they could improve their play together.
"We know each other’s games pretty well from being around each other on the court, but in the offseason, it will let me know where he really wants the ball, what he’s really, really good at, and the same way for him with me. When you’re seeing each other work out and train, you gain a lot of respect for the individual because you see them putting in their time, you know what I mean? I’m not saying that I don’t respect him, but if he sees how much I’m in the gym every day and I see how much he’s in the gym every day, you know that you rhyme with that individual, and I think that’s a very important thing."
When Noah was relegated to the bench, he did not take it well. He was upset when Hoiberg suggested publicly that it was NOAH who asked to go to the bench. He emphatically stated that it was not his idea, and he struggled in the bench role.
Gasol’s recent rant may have been to cut off the fact that Hoiberg was not pleased with his defensive efforts from game-to-game.
Some of the players have accused Butler of changing. He has tried to take a leadership role, but his teammates have not accepted him as the team leader, which has caused some friction.
With all the turmoil going on in the locker room, it is no surprise that this team had trouble on the court. As I stated earlier, there needs to be an overhaul this summer before the Chicago Bulls can contend once again.
Next: What does this mean for the future?