Jordan could learn a little grace from Woods

All that was left to see Sunday in the BMW Championship was how Tiger Woods handled success.

Hopefully it would be with more grace than Michael Jordan demonstrated Friday while being enshrined in basketball's Hall of Fame.

Jordan used to mentor a younger Woods. Maybe it's time for Woods to do the same for an older Jordan.

His Airness was offensive and abrasive during his induction speech. He was just being himself, and being true to yourself is OK to some degree.

But here and now?

Jordan scorched opponents on the court. Still, they couldn't help but respect his game even if they weren't sure they liked him.

Meanwhile, Woods' fellow competitors certainly respect him and also like him. Recently he made a remark about Ernie Els' work habits that became controversial because it was so uncharacteristic.

Marc Leishman played with Woods in Sunday's final group. The Aussie finished tied for second by 8 shots and was asked whether Tiger is a gracious winner.

"Yeah," Leishman responded. "Walking up the last (hole) he came over and said, 'Congratulations.' He was really happy for me getting into the Tour Championship. It shows what a great bloke he is."

Here's the difference between Woods and Jordan: Woods wants to beat the field's brains in but rarely humiliates anyone afterward; Jordan didn't mind doing both.

Seriously, Tiger might want to whisper to Jordan that it's time to stifle his ego a bit.

Everybody knows how great Jordan was. At this stage of his life he should adhere to what Joe Louis once said: "If you have to tell 'em who you are, you ain't."

A little self-effacing humor would be nice as Jordan ages. Tell a joke at your own expense, Mike, instead of belittling others celebrating you at the Hall of Fame.

My goodness, Woods said Saturday after shooting a course-record 62, "I was just doing what I always do, and that's kind of plodding along."

Then he actually added, "Lo and behold I end up at 9 under par" as if it fell from the heavens.

So how did Woods carry himself while carrying off another trophy Sunday? Typically and matter-of-factly gracefully, that's how.

Jordan had no inhibitions about waving a victory in the face of an opponent. It seemed he felt obligated to do so to maximize his enjoyment.

Basketball and golf are different animals, of course.

The media approached Jordan after about 100 games a season; Woods can pick his spots during the golf year. Jordan had to beat opponents trying to defend him; other golfers essentially are innocent bystanders to Woods. Jordan once won 72 of 82 regular-season games; Woods is remarkable if he wins a third of his tournaments.

"I have a great friendship with Michael," Woods said. Then in referencing tennis champion Roger Federer, he added, "An individual sport is a different challenge."

Differences aside, Jordan was the best ever at what he did, and so is Woods. Their relative responses to their greatness are interesting.

After their performances over the weekend, Woods wins this competition between two of the greatest athletes of all time.