Tiger Woods vs. Michael Jordan

I'm going to go ahead and say it Tiger Woods is the greatest athlete ever! Yep, I said it. For now let's leave out Gretzky, Ali, Ruth and a few of the other notables.

Let's narrow this discussion down to Tiger v. MJ, arguably the two greatest in our era for their respective sports. Up until Sunday I would have said MJ hands down. But as I was sitting on the bar stool something just clicked, almost like an epiphany of sorts, as I watched Tiger almost effortlessly stroke through the back nine. I really think he's pulled a number on the sports world that people will be talking about for decades.

I think MJ single handedly revitalized the NBA in so many ways. I also think that many of today's athletes in all sports can thank MJ for ushering in the era of big endorsement dollars. No athlete that I can think of has had quite the impact that Michael Jordan had on his sport, until Tiger came along. Of course my claims sound pre-mature, especially since Tiger hasn’t statically passed the Golden Bear who is still regarded by many the greatest golfer of all time. Some don’t even consider Tiger an athlete at all because all he does is swing a golf club and walks from one hole to the next. But to me anytime the body, the mind, and emotions are engaged together at once in the arena of competition I consider that individual an athlete. Plain and simple. Wilbon touched on something a couple of weeks ago that made sense, Tiger has opened up and generated interest in the sport of golf that didn’t previously exist.

I don’t know how many of the greats in other sports that have had quite the cultural effect while dominating the sport at the same.

I used to think golf did not much athleticism but since I picked it up a couple of years ago I've loosened my stance on it a bit. That being said, Jordan appears to be more athletic than Tiger. If one on one competition involving running, jumping and feats of strength is used as a measuring tool, I think Jordan would be the better athlete.

I've always believed that Wayne Gretzky had a bigger impact of changing the game of hockey than MJ did on basketball. Before MJ, guys like David Thompson, Dr. J, Backrow, etc. were all playing above the rim. But before Gretzky I don't think anyone really thought to use the back of the opponent's net as an offensive weapon.

I think Tiger and Jordan are both amazing athletes and I'm happy to have seen Jordan play and to currently see Tiger. But I find it a bit hard to compare someone who plays in an individual sport with someone who plays in a team sport.

I think right now Tiger is the best active athlete...unless you include Roger Federer in the discussion. Then it gets a bit more interesting

Let me say this about golf. Sure, it takes some athleticism, but wouldn't that argument lend itself to saying that the best bowlers ever would be among the greatest sports figures? Dart players?

I've always believed that Wayne Gretzky had a bigger impact of changing the game of hockey than MJ did on basketball. Before MJ, guys like David Thompson, Dr. J, Backrow, etc. were all playing above the rim. But before Gretzky I don't think anyone really thought to use the back of the opponent's net as an offensive weapon.

I think Tiger and Jordan are both amazing athletes and I'm happy to have seen Jordan play and to currently see Tiger. But I find it a bit hard to compare someone who plays in an individual sport with someone who plays in a team sport.

I think right now Tiger is the best active athlete...unless you include Roger Federer in the discussion. Then it gets a bit more interesting

True, it is hard to compare individual sport vs team sport. I think I'm looking at the complete body of work. I agree if Federer enters, it's more interesting.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong to say that someone who plays golf is the best athlete out there currently, but if you're talking about things considered sport, then you have to give a fair chance to people who play things that require athleticism, but not nearly as much as hockey, baseketball, baseball, soccer, and football.

Let me say this about golf. Sure, it takes some athleticism, but wouldn't that argument lend itself to saying that the best bowlers ever would be among the greatest sports figures? Dart players?

I guess by my definition of athlete they certainly can be included, I just don't know of any.

I define athlete a bit differently here. I mean I guess it'd be better defined as something like best sports performer or something like that. I mean as an athlete I suppose Randle El is more of an athlete than Tom Brady, but Brady is the guy you'd rather have.

Right. I just think that with such a broad definition of athlete, it makes the picture a bit muddy. You could easily include competitive eaters. Why not Kobiashi?

I define athlete a bit differently here. I mean I guess it'd be better defined as something like best sports performer or something like that. I mean as an athlete I suppose Randle El is more of an athlete than Tom Brady, but Brady is the guy you'd rather have.This is why we shouldn't compare athletes from different sports. We should leave it at: (blank) is the best football player ever, or (blank) is the best golpher ever. There is no way to compare accomplishments from one sport to that of another. Some sports are more physical while some are more finess.

you could probably make cases for individual sports but when it comes to team sports, you really cant compare players.