Jimmy Butler, Fred Hoiberg Comment on Derrick Rose's Role with Bulls

Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose has played more games this year (63) than he had in the last two seasons combined.

While that may be a good sign, the Bulls continue to fight for a playoff spot, and they haven't been great when Rose and All-Star guard Jimmy Butler have played together. Chicago is 28-25 when the two have played together, and while the record doesn't back it up, Butler said he is more effective when Rose is on the court.

"With Derrick out there, I get a couple more breaks so I'm not as gassed as much," he said, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. "Even when he is out there, I still have to be aggressive and make the right plays. Because on any given night, it could be him that's on a roll or it could be me."

The Bulls are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008. While a large part of that is due to Chicago's shocking defensive lapses—the Bulls allow 102.8 points per game—the lack of chemistry between Butler and Rose could be a determining factor.

In Rose's injury-related absences over the last few years, Butler has emerged as one of the best shooting guards in the NBA. The two-time All-Star's scoring average has leaped from 13.1 points per game in 2013-14 to 21.2 points per game this season, but Rose hasn't had much time to play with Butler as he's become one of the NBA's best young stars.

When asked if Butler is a better player without Rose by his side in the Chicago backcourt, Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg said he doesn't see it that way.

"We've gone with Derrick to finish off some games and obviously Jimmy to close out a lot," he said, per Johnson. "When they have played together, it's basically whoever has the better matchup or whoever has it going. We're obviously a better team when Derrick is out there."

According to recent reports, the Bulls seem to believe the two can't play together. Last week, Chris Mannix of The Vertical reported the Bulls could look to trade Butler in the offseason and shake up their roster. Rose's contract also expires at the end of next year.

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.