LeBron and Tiger in the Midst of Ultimate Test

The two most transcendent athletes of the last decade are at turning points in their careers.

For all the greatness they've produced, LeBron James and Tiger Woods find themselves in a place they have never been before.  It's a place that consists of more doubt than adoration and is proving to be the ultimate test for two men, who if they pass, could end up being the greatest their sports have seen.  If they fall short, they could be considered two of the biggest letdowns.

From the minute they stepped on the scene, Tiger as an overachieving, focused amateur and LeBron on the cover of Sports Illustrated as "The Chosen One," they have been heralded as the next great thing in their respective sports.

Then they turned pro and both exceeded expectations.  Tiger owned Majors and 'Bron became a player the NBA had never scene before, a 6-8, 275 pound guard.  He is a taller Osi Umenyiora with Magic Johnson's skill set.

Ahh the good ole days.

Both men have been to the height of their profession.  The endorsement deals are endless.  Magazine covers, shoe deals, signature video games...they had it all.  Even when they messed up, fans still believed their greatness would be enough to bounce back quickly.

Tiger missed the cut at Winged Foot in the 2006 U.S Open and Bron was swept in the Finals against the Spurs, but they were so good and dominant the consensus was that it was just be a matter of time before they were again at the top of their games.

They did, only to make poor life choices that made the court of public opinion turn on them quicker than Cher's daughter did into a son.

Bron and Tiger are no longer getting the love they've grown accustomed to throughout their careers.

We are learning these supermen do have kryptonite and it sits between their ears.
 
Tiger's off the course rounds still are causing more problems than any ACL injury and LeBron trying to win back the adoration of NBA fans have hindered their quest to be great.

Sports fans use Michael Jordan as the model of greatest.  MJ was ruthless, hardworking, and focused only on winning.  He is seen as the standard of a champion.

Tiger and LeBron have both tried to live up and eclipse his Airness' level of dominance.  Tiger was close and Bron may have been put there prematurely, but regardless, its a standard his career will ultimately be compared to.

The thing that separates Jordan from these two is his mental game.  Jordan blocked out the world when he was on the court.  Whether it was his gambling debts, media criticisms, or memorizing lines of epic movies, MJ didn't bring that stuff with him on the court.

Every time Tiger walks a fairway, there are whispers in the gallery about his sexual escapades.

Every time LeBron steps on the 90-feet of hardwood, he is the most despised man in the building because of "The Decision."

They are no longer loved.  In fact, for the most part, they are hated. And that hate is turning to self-doubt.

If Tiger wants to pass Jack's Majors record and LeBron wants to start a long term relationship with the Larry O'Brien trophy, both need to start worrying less about what people think and more on doing their jobs.

Tiger's decision to drop out of next week's U.S Open is a good one.  He is physically damaged, but mentally he hasn't been right since the world found out he had a little Hugh Hefner in him.  He is naturally a private, closed-off person and has had to put on a warm, softer front in order to win back the support of his fans, the golf community, and the corporate sponsors who fund Jupiter Island.

This is not the same man who was cut throat in the Masters and intimidated the entire field in practice rounds.  Until Tiger comes to peace with his past mistakes and truly begins looking forward at Jack and not back at those mocking him, he will continue to struggle.

If he cares more about winning than being liked, Tiger will come back aggressive and hungry and control the dented white ball like he used to, better than anything else is his life. 

LeBron has always been a happy-smiling figure. His on court demeanor was the antithesis of Tiger's.  He would dance and wink and it was all fun and games.  Fans were receptive to this style, because it made coming to the court fun.

For the past twelve months, he's had to be defensive and take a more serious approach because he decided a pursuit of a title was easier with help than by having to carry the burden on his own and the country responded with scorn.

He underestimated the amount of pressure that would come as a result.

In the Finals he's been missing more than Mr. Chow's length.  LeBron is starting to cringe as the pressure heightens.  He is proving to be a player he's fought so hard not the be, one that is above-average, but not great when it matters most.

If LeBron doesn't step up, come to play, and help his team win a championship over the next three games, it may prove that we are "Witness"ing one of the mentally softest players of our time, one that will never be truly great.

Game 2: A Story of Character and Maturity

I'll admit, I thought it was over.  At 10:39 pm, I tweeted "The last time someone ran through a bunch of Mavericks this easy was 1978...Debbie Does Dallas."

That was early in the third quarter.  And it got worse.  Miami was on the verge of a blowout and then, Debbie got lazy and Dallas got focused and made arguably the greatest comeback in NBA Finals history.

The Mavericks 95-93 win over Miami, Thursday, at American Airlines Arena was beyond miraculous.  Dallas put together a team effort and never quit.  Dirk hit the big shots, but Shawn Marion was consistent, Jason Terry was clutch, Tyson Chandler was ferocious, and Brian Cardinal...well he picked up a foul.  The Mavs gave it their all for 48 minutes.

Miami gave it their all for about 41 minutes and some change.

It was a perfect microcosm for why they are and will continue to be "America's Most Hated Team."

Anyone who has watched these playoffs knows the Heat are above and beyond the most talented team.  Coming into Thursday's game, they hadn't lost at home and were 13-3 in the postseason.  That is the definition of dominant.  No, they haven't really blown anyone out, but they have played as a team down the stretch when needed most.

Thursday, they lost focus of the team concept and reverted back to the June 2010 overhyped, self absorbed, celebrate before the job is done, Miami team that earned the scorn of everyone outside of South Florida.

In game two, the Heat were dancing and posing when they went up by 15 with seven minutes left as if Larry O'Brien had just told them he already started engraving their names into the trophy named after him.

Their actions were immature, selfish and entitled.   Those are three adjectives that do not describe a CHAMPION.

While 'Bron, Wade, and Rupal, excuse me, Chris Bosh, were working on their 'You Got Served' celebration routine, the Mavericks did what veterans do and fought.

They did it with efficiency and defense.

Dallas allowed Miami to buy into the idea that they were that good.  The Mavericks let the Heat run one-on-one offensive sets and had no problem letting them launch three's, because they knew, as a team, they have what it takes to beat a bunch of individuals.

And they did so to the tune of a 22-5 run that was capped off by a left handed, correction, injured left-handed, lay-up by Dirk Nowitzki. 

The Mavericks are certainly not more talented than the Heat, but they proved Thursday they are are more mature, focused, and better at handling adversity.

The Heat are a bunch of characters.  Cocky individuals.  The Mavericks are a team and soon should be Champions.