Only on rare occasions do you see Michael Jordan get snubbed from GOAT lists. Be it basketball or sports in general, His Airness often finds himself towards the top of these lists. However, this time, the Chicago Bulls legend was snubbed by famous sports analyst Jason Whitlock, who wanted to endorse golfing legend and MJ’s former friend Tiger Woods for that honorable tag.
Jordan turned 61 today and Whitlock released a new video on YouTube, comparing NCAA star Caitlin Clark to him. However, the elephant in the room was Whitlock snubbing the 6x NBA champion. The 56-year-old started, “Tiger Woods is actually the most transformative athlete of our lifetime.” Whitlock’s guest Steve Kims, who chose Jordan previously, couldn’t believe the analyst’s take. Whitlock continued, “Tiger Woods operated on a platform that was very limited…transformed golf for 20 straight years.”
Whitlock believes Larry Bird and Magic Johnson set standards high in the NBA and Jordan excelled further, while Woods was a solo warrior on the PGA tour, bringing fame to the sport from the very beginning. He added, “Tiger Woods transformed golf for twenty straight years…So many people came to golf, to watch Tiger Woods”. He even agreed that might have a bias for the 11-time PGA Tour Player of the Year. However, he is standing strong on his take, siding with Woods.
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Also, this would be an interesting time to note that the above two influential sports stars were once close friends. Woods wanted to be the Michael Jordan of golf, which he eventually did. He also was in close ties with the Bulls Hall of Famer, which only lasted for a few years.
How did the relationship between Woods and Jordan fall off?
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The two spent quite some fun time on the golf course, having competitive battles. Sixers legend Charles Barkley often joined them too. However, Woods faced severe backlash in his career over a secret affair when he was married. Also, his father Earl Wood’s sudden demise shook up his reality. After a series of negative events, Woods decided to keep things private.
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According to Daily Mail, Barkley shared, “To this day, I don’t have any idea what happened…He just stopped talking to us. That’s all I know.” Speaking of Woods’s struggles, Jordan said, “He’s gonna have to trust somebody.”
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Well, that was the end of friendship. However, these two have the greatest sports stories in the world. Whitlock has chosen Woods. Who do you choose?
Read more: Tiger Woods Paid Price For Underestimating Michael Jordan in Brutal Clap Back 15 Years Ago