The Chicago Bulls failed to qualify for the 2016 NBA playoffs for the first time in eight years. Bulls All-Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler is blaming himself for the team's failure to make it to the postseason. He is also looking to improve his relationship with Derrick Rose this summer.
"I'm the reason that we did not make the playoffs," Butler told the Chicago Tribune in an interview. "I'm fine with that. I'm not happy with it, but I'm fine with it because it's only going to make me stronger and better."
The Marquette product also criticized his consistency throughout the season. He suffered a strained left knee in February that might have been a factor in his play.
The last time the Bulls did not play in the postseason was in the 2007-2008 season and they got lucky because Rose fell into their lap. However, since his knee injuries, the Bulls became Butler's team and showed it by being named to All-Star game for two straight years.
Nonetheless, there are obvious chemistry problems within the team and it boils down to their two stars. At the start of the season, the former 30th overall pick was reportedly unhappy with his star teammate's work ethic.
Even though Butler considers Rose as a friend, he thinks that the former MVP is not being a good example for the entire team. Nonetheless, the 2015 Most Improved Player will work things out with Rose in the offseason.
They are planning to talk about their season and see what went wrong. Butler also mentioned that they will be training together so that they can co-exist outside and inside the basketball court.
However, Butler may not be part of the Bulls roster when the 2016-17 season starts. He has been part of several trade rumors at the trade deadline and the past couple of weeks.
According to CSN Chicago, Chicago almost traded Butler to the Boston Celtics at the deadline but the deal fell through because the Bulls wanted to include Jae Crowder. The Orlando Magic were also interested in acquiring the two-time All-Star.
The Bulls and the Celtics may revisit the trade after the season since Boston has a lot of assets including a possible top three pick in this year's draft. They also have young players with potential to include in a deal like Marcus Smart, James Young and Terry Rozier.
Check out the video below for the breakdown of what went wrong in the Bulls' season: