It appears rivalries are becoming a big thing in the NBA once again; with the Knicks and Nets, Bulls and Nets and more. Considering that both teams are in the Central division and expected to do well, some reporters have indicated a rivalry between the Chicago Bulls and Indiana Pacers. Derrick Rose however sees the Heat as their prime rival. Read more after the jump.
“People say that it’s a rivalry, but I don’t really see it,” Rose said before scoring 32 points in the team’s 103-98 win against the Pacers. “I say the team that is more like a rivalry is when Darren Collison was on the team. That one was more like a rivalry, but this team is a great team. They’ve already proven themselves last year by making it to the Eastern Conference finals.
“If anything, by probably in a year or two, it could become a rival. But right now, people say it’s a rival. … I just don’t see it right now.”
Rose and the Bulls defeated the Pacers in the first round of the playoffs in 2011.
Asked specifically if he felt the Heat were the Bulls’ biggest rival, Rose acknowledged that to be the case.
“If you want say [that], yeah,” he said. “For sure, Miami.”
