1. Jimmy Butler, Small Forward
The player that D-Rose most notably had some beef with during his run with the Bulls, and the Timberwolves, is “Jimmy G. Buckets”. From previous reports of Butler and Rose beefing about work ethic, to the former of the two not really caring when the latter was traded, these two just don’t mesh all that well.
The five-time NBA All-Star selection, two-time All-NBA honoree, four-time All-Defensive Team selection, and 2014-15 Most Improved Player of the Year award winner. The former Marquette Golden Eagle was a steal for the Bulls in the latter part of the first round of the 2011 NBA Draft. Paxson and former general manager Gar Forman snagged Butler with the 30th overall pick in the first round of the 2011 draft.
Butler would spend six seasons with the Bulls, and bits and pieces of two with the Timberwolves. He spent more than half of the 2010’s as a teammate of D-Rose. There were constant storylines along the way not necessarily of Rose and Butler causing huge stirs in the locker room, but at least getting annoyed with the other’s presence at times.
Now with the Miami Heat, Butler is more at home and seems to have a better culture fit than there was in his latter days with the Bulls, or with the Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers. This Heat team could be a dark horse to make a run in the East once the season resumes at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL, next month.