North: Tiger had a great run while it lasted
The saga of the second greatest golfer of all-time, Tiger Woods, is almost over, and what a ride it has been.
Woods didn't sound like he believed he would be able to play golf at the highest level when he addressed the media at the Hero World Challenge golf tournament this week, and said anything more "would be gravy."
I know many people will disagree and say Tiger is the greatest golfer of all-time because he was so dominant. Some of those believers are probably younger and didn't get a chance to see the great Jack Nicklaus play. Jack won 18 majors while Tiger won 14, and in my book that's the measuring stick: Jack was a better golfer.
Yet Tiger, who has 79 PGA Tour victories, possessed an aura and unique charisma resulting in a spectacular career. But that extraordinary world plummeted with record speed starting with his divorce from his wife Elin Nordegren.
I think many people underestimated the negative impact his personal problems would have on his game. His constant personnel changes with coach Butch Harmon and others, plus caddies Steve Williams and Mike "Fluff" Cowan, were issues for him along with a string of physical injuries that contributed to his decline.
Tiger will always be an ambassador for the game of golf, and I will miss him a great deal along with millions of other fans. He was more than great and brought a fierceness and an intimidation factor to the game that made him must-see TV.
For the record:
The Golden State Warriors are rolling (20-0) and Bulls fans and NBA fans are wondering if this team can beat the 72-10 record set by the Bulls in the 1995-96 season.
Usually I'm extremely protective of Chicago teams and their records, but if the Warriors break it I will reluctantly say they deserve to be called the greatest team ever.
And I'll be fine with that because fair is fair.
I have to ask, though: who would have thought LeBron James would become an afterthought this season?
The unsung hero for the Warriors is forward Draymond Green. His play has been instrumental in the Warriors' winning streak and it looks like he was well worth the $14.26 million he is being paid this year. Green - not Klay Thompson - is the second most important member of the team after Stephen Curry.
Random thoughts:
• The Boston Red Sox signed Toronto Blue Jays pitcher David Price to a seven-year $217 million deal. Sorry, but they overpaid because he can't close in the postseason
• I predict the Chicago Bears will beat the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Soldier Field to become a .500 team.
Program notes:
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• North's column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.