made."
I read this and it didn't feel right to me. If the point is that Tiger is a more fierce, unflappable competitor, I don't think this story shows that. It's not fair to Jordan. Mental toughness comes in different flavors. The kind of toughness it takes to stand over a 12' putt to win a tournament and sink it is one variety. A related but different variety is the toughness it takes to run down the court with tens of thousands of people screaming at the top of their lungs, body nearly
worn out, people waving flags and towels, defenders jostling you and running at you full speed, and swish a 30' game-winner. If Tiger can make that 12' putt in those conditions (I have this mental image of a sweaty Phil Mickelson charging Tiger as he's standing over his putt),
then maybe I'll grant that he's tougher than Jordan. Until then, I'd call it a draw.
Yeah, that anecdote doesn't really tell me much of anything, other than that Tiger is a better golfer, which we knew already. Something tells me Jordan could take still take him on the court.
ReplyDeleteAs athletes, golfers just do not compare to basketball players. Tiger might be a great golfer, but I wouldn't call him a phenomenal athlete, like Michael Jordan is.
ReplyDeleteTiger Woods is certainly a phenomenal athlete.
ReplyDeleteInteresting take.
ReplyDeleteWhat I took from the anecdote was more about the mental aspect. Jordan was psyched out on a gimme.
There isn't a basketball player alive who ever got into Jordan's head on the court. But playing Tiger gave him the yips.
And michelline, "golfers" in general, of course do not compare with basketball players.
Tiger, specifically, does. The guy is a fitness/strength monster.
I don't know how you could possibly conclude that from this single anecdote, Angelos. The post actually said the putts were not gimmes, so he's not going to make it every time. Neither is Tiger, for that matter, though he'll make it more than anyone else.
ReplyDeleteAnd even if Tiger did get into his head on the golf course, that doesn't really tell me much about the mental toughness of either player. Playing with Tiger can get in anyone's head, even the best golfers in the world. And again, I expect the results would be reversed if you could somehow switch the situation to a basketball one.
What I took from the anecdote was more about the mental aspect. Jordan was psyched out on a gimme.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Tiger psyched him out. I just don't know that it makes him a tougher competitor overall. Probably the closest situation Jordan would have faced in basketball is a crucial free throw. Dos Tiger play any basketball? I would guess not, but if he did, I wonder how he would do in a pickup game with Jordan?
And Tiger is definitely an athlete. He won the open on a broken leg.
Golf is a much more mentally challenging game than basketball. What separates Tiger from his peers is he is much more mentally tough. I don't think there is a shot Tiger can make than Michelson can't make.
ReplyDeleteCompare Jordan with Kobe, the separation between them is as much physical skills as mental toughness.
Compare Jordan with Kobe, the separation between them is as much physical skills as mental toughness.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that's true. I'm not sure there's much separation between these two at all, whether physical or mental. Certainly nowhere near the separation there is between Tiger and Phil.
I'm not even sure I'd attribute Jordon's miss as a choke instigated by Tiger...
ReplyDeleteEither way, Jordon lost a hole to the greatest golfer alive, doesn't mean he's less competitive.
I look forward to the rematch dunk contest after Tiger's leg heals.
I'm not even sure I'd attribute Jordon's miss as a choke instigated by Tiger...
ReplyDeleteI would, Furious. Five feet is the equivalent of a free throw. He yakked.
And I agree with John. Kobe has all of Michael's skills, and is probably a better jump shooter. He is lacking in the intangibles department. Leadership, etc.