Why won’t LeBron James and Tigers Woods win another major?

The two most famous professional athletes find themselves stuck on the same road, wondering if their last turn was a mistake. One is on the downswing as the greatest basketball player of his generation and the other is on a comeback that will ultimately disappoint him.

LeBron left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second time, and the once invincible star has suffered the first setback of his career that is taking longer to heal than expected. He will return to the Lakers after a six-week recovery from a groin injury, but his new team will struggle to make the playoffs — let alone win an NBA title.

That uncertainty, and what the future holds for the Lakers, will keep them from signing all-pro Anthony Davis — who demanded a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans and was fined $50,000 for doing so in public. The franchise has to decide to bank on LeBron in his twilight and trade their assets away for Davis, or keep rebuilding with younger players.

Tiger came back when it looked like he would never play in another PGA tournament. His multiple back surgeries put him together, but he is still not the same Tiger at 43 – aside from the media attention and TV ratings his gets whenever he makes the cut and plays on the weekend. But the champion of yore is not back.

He was not competitive for the first three rounds of the Farmers event in San Diego that he used to own; there are just too many great young players – a new name seemingly pops into contention every week – for Woods to win another major. He will win more PGA events and draw the crowds and viewers, but he will be more of an attraction than a serious contender in the big four.

Like LeBron, the skill set can no longer beat father time and the youngsters their own greatness has spawned. Look how many incredible basketball players are in the NBA today, and King James cannot beat the Golden State Warriors, or any other top-seeded team, by himself. Showtime in LA will become No Time, this time.

But Tiger and LeBron are ending their careers as better people, if not the same athletes. Woods became a more dedicated father. James’ activism in this splintering country gives him a louder voice than any roar of a packed arena. Good for both of them.

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