NBA Rumors: Jimmy Butler Next Face of Bulls, Derrick Rose Has No Problem With It

Jimmy Butler has become one of the best wing defender in the league over a short period of time. However, no one saw coming how he has become a force on the offensive end of the floor this season, making him among the elite two-way players right now.

With his rapid development as efficient offensive weapon along with superb defensive skills, the 25-year old Butler is on his way towards becoming the next face of the franchise. Sounds premature? Maybe not!

Butler, who is averaging 22.1 points, 3.4 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game this season, is blowing away the race for the Most Improved Player of the Year. The impact of his growth as a scorer for the Bulls has been so immense, and many analysts are already reserving his spot in February’s All-Star game in New York.

So Why He’s the Next Face of Bulls Organization?

Although former NBA MVP and three-time NBA All-Star Derrick Rose has already achieved far more accomplishments than Butler has done so far in his career, the large number of games missed by Mr. D-Rose because of injuries (MCL and ACL) over the past two seasons has given fans and even the Bulls ownership doubt on Rose’s ability to lead the team to its first title since the Michael Jordan era.

Then there’s the comment that really sent many Bulls fans’ brows raising. After undergoing two major surgeries, Rose might have finally learned his lesson of not putting much on the line on the hardwood. But then again, in professional basketball where risk is necessary to win ball games, his remarks have turned more fans of his into doubters.

"I know a lot of people get mad when they see me sit out or whatever, but I think a lot of people don't understand that.” Rose said in an interview with Nick Friedell of ESPN. "When I sit out it's not because of this year. I'm thinking about long term. I'm thinking about after I'm done with basketball."

Now with the arrival of Butler as a legit All-Star player, Bulls fans suddenly realize that they a player who are willing to dive for loose balls and attack baskets with reckless abandon. His name is Jimmy Gets Buckets.

For Rose, Butler’s rise to stardom is more of a gift than a curse. With Butler’s emergence as a star, Rose can work his way back to old explosive self but away from the media attention that has been haunting him the past two-and-half seasons.

While Golden State’s Splash Brothers tandem of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson has been the talk of the town this season, a healthy Rose and a much improved Butler can be as deadly as any backcourt right now in the NBA. And that makes the Bulls really scary come April, when the real basketball begins.