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Rozner: Standards different for Bulls' Rose, Butler

Jimmy Butler is playing it smart, right?

Everyone seems to agree that caution is the proper approach, given the circumstances. The Chicago Bulls' star hurt his knee Feb. 5 and missed a month, returning March 5 in a victory over Houston.

Oddly, a team that fired a coach in part because of his refusal to manage minutes, allowed Fred Hoiberg to play Butler 34 minutes in that first game back, including 21 in the first half. You wonder how much of that was Butler wanting to play and Hoiberg unable to influence the player.

Regardless, after Butler practiced the next day, his knee swelled and his back hurt, and he's been out of the lineup since.

Wanting a second opinion, Butler went to see superstar surgeon Dr. James Andrews last week.

"Dr. Andrews gave a confirmatory opinion and supports the current management of Butler's condition and return to play," said the Bulls in a statement. "Butler will resume workouts … be monitored and will return to play when appropriate."

And Hoiberg made it sound as if the Bulls will give Butler plenty of time and space as he determines when he'll be able to get back on the floor.

"He's going to work out … and he'll be re-evaluated," Hoiberg said. "If everything goes OK, we'll monitor it … and just see how he's feeling. We're going to be safe with it."

It's difficult to find any criticism of Butler, nor should there be. The man knows his body better than anyone else and should be the ultimate judge of when he can play.

But it's staggering to watch how he's judged in comparison to Derrick Rose.

If it were Rose in the same circumstances, the headlines would be loud and frequent, and the criticism nonstop.

And it's all a matter of perception.

Butler is the hardworking bulldog, while Rose it the soft, malingering prima donna.

Butler gets hurt, and everyone is sorry for him.

Rose gets hurt, and people roll their eyes.

Butler comes back and immediately leaves the lineup, and restraint is the word of the day.

Rose comes back and immediately leaves the lineup, and he's a dog.

Butler gets a second opinion, and it's pragmatic.

Rose considers a second opinion, and he's being childish and irrational. He's insubordinate, rebelling against management and embarrassing the Bulls' doctors.

Butler needs to manage his minutes and take a big-picture approach to his career so he can give the Bulls the best of his ability throughout his contract.

Rose should stop thinking about his body and sacrifice everything for the next game, the next quarter or the next possession.

Butler is a team guy who only wants to win.

Rose is a selfish player who cares only about his next contract.

When Butler sits on the ball and eats the shot clock, forcing the Bulls into a bad shot, or taking one himself, he's simply doing what he needs to do within the offense.

When Rose dominates a possession, he's killing the Bulls' offense.

When Rose fears what might come next, he's self-centered.

When Butler fears what might come next, it's a wise move under the circumstances.

"I think the mental aspect is huge in something like this," Hoiberg said. "Jimmy went down (to see Andrews) and saw one of the best doctors in the world … and was told that everything looked structurally sound in there.

"That's what he was looking to hear and wanted to hear. Now, it's about going out there and getting comfortable, and sitting down with Jimmy (and) putting a plan together on how exactly we're going to move forward with it."

With Butler, there's a plan.

With Rose, he's talking too much to his own people and listening to the wrong voices.

Butler should listen to his body.

Rose should listen to the Bulls.

The difference is everyone seems to like and support Butler, while Rose doesn't get the benefit of the doubt, mostly because of odd or foolish statements.

It's mostly a difference in perception. Butler gets the best of it, while Rose probably never will again in this town.

Hardly seems fair.

brozner@dailyherald.com

• Hear Barry Rozner on WSCR 670-AM and follow him @BarryRozner on Twitter.

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