Does Derrick Rose or Tom Thibodeau Have More Pressure Heading into Next Season?

It is a very interesting questions. Who is facing more pressure when they finally tip-off next season: the MVP or the coach of the year?

Each is facing a lot of pressure going forward, and some big comparisons have been made.

Is Derrick Rose the next Michael Jordan?

Is Tom Thibodeau going to be like Phil Jackson or more like Doug Collins?

First let's look at what Rose is facing. He is a hometown kid, two-time All-Star who has won the rookie of the year and MVP awards all before he was 23. Also he has to deal with the pressure of being compared to arguably the greatest player in NBA history, his airness Michael Jordan. Also let's not forget that Rose is nearly a lock to be a Hall of Famer already.

Coach Thibodeau has been a career assistant coach who in his first year as the head man won coach of the year and led his team to the best record in the league. He is a relentless worker which has many people wondering what kind of shelf life he may have. All of those things led to the comparisons and questions wondering if he will be a point A to B coach like Doug Collins or can he lead the Bulls to title No. 7 and be like Phil Jackson.

Both are dealing with the pressure of not taking a step back and fighting to overcome the Miami Heat.

Personally I feel that head coach Tom Thibodeau is facing more pressure.

Maybe this is the coach in me talking, but managing players and picking the right group to put out there in the right situation is extremely difficult. Thibodeau has a team ready to compete for a NBA title and has the young star in Rose who will only be getting better. The Bulls may have overachieved last season but that only increases the pressure Thibodeau faces.

If the Bulls fail to reach the Eastern Conference finals next season, it will be Thibodeau's job on the line not Derrick Rose. Now I doubt that Thibodeau's job is on the line already, but if Gar Foreman upgrades the two guard spot like thought, then all the pressure will be on the head coach to make things work.

So it might be Derrick Rose taking that last-second shot, but it's coach Tom Thibodeau who is facing more pressure next season.