Chicago Bulls Guard Beef: Jimmy Butler Doesn't Respect Derrick Rose's Work Ethic

There's no doubt that the two guards of the Chicago Bulls have a tense relationship due to a potential power struggle. Shooting guard, Jimmy Butler, and star point guard, Derrick Rose, have allegedly not been getting along too well since Rose's injuries have hindered him from being the high scorer and leader the Chicago Bulls desperately need.

Now, with Rose gone, someone had to step up their scoring skills and provide leadership to keep the Bulls on top. That someone just happened to be Jimmy Butler. Since Butler's rise to leadership (in place of the injured Derrick Rose, of course), Rose and Butler have had quite a passive-aggressive relationship.

Fox Sports reported that the Bulls view Butler as one of their leaders and as a superstar, thus they signed him to a five-year, $95 million contract over the summer, which is actually $1 million more than Derrick's contract. Although Rose is the face of the Bulls franchise, Butler wants that role and has even improved his game by validating his ability by becoming the NBA's Most Improved Player.

In the past, Butler has made several attempts to diffuse any alleged beef between the two star athletes. "I think he's always been supportive of me being aggressive, especially on offense," Butler said on ESPN's First Take. "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.

"The only reason that it came up is because we lost," Butler continued. "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."

Now, in more recent news, based on a report released by the Chicago SunTimes, another source has revealed that Rose and Butler's tense relationship may not be as "diffused" as Butler made it seem a few months ago.

"Personally, the two are great," the source revealed, as per the Chicago SunTimes. "Professionally is where they have a difference of opinion.'' Also according to the source, according to SlamOnline, Butler considers Rose a friend, but "doesn't have a lot of respect for his work ethic.''

According to UpRoxx, the source was identified as a "former member of the Bulls" (possibly a former player, or maybe even former head coach, Tom Thibodeau?).

It seems like the Bulls have a lot to work on prior to the start of the season, and perhaps Derrick is going to have to put in more effort if he wants to remain a leader for the Bulls.

It's not like the Bulls can actually rely on an injury-prone player to lead them to the NBA championship!

Be sure to vote for your favorite celebrities at the 2015 MT Buzz Awards. If you share your vote on Twitter, using #MTBuzzys, then you will be automatically entered in our contest to win a $25 Amazon gift card.