NBA veteran Dwight Howard sparked buzz after publicly naming Tristan Thompson as the league’s “most overrated” player — and he tied the label to Thompson’s relationship with Khloé Kardashian.
Dwight Howard’s Spicy Reality TV Moment
Fresh off an emotional Hall of Fame enshrinement, Dwight Howard is back in the spotlight — this time on Netflix’s new reality competition series Inside: USA. Contestants face quirky, high-pressure challenges, and Howard’s first test was brutal: answering questions after eating a nacho chip spiked with 135,600 scoville units of hot sauce.
When asked to name the NBA’s most overrated player, Howard struggled to speak through the heat but eventually blurted, “Tristan… Tristan Thompson.” His reasoning? “Cause he went with a Kardashian.”
The remark shocked the room and quickly set off reactions online, with fans divided on whether it was an honest opinion or just a desperate attempt to finish the challenge and grab a glass of milk.
Why Thompson Still Draws Criticism
Tristan Thompson, who rejoined the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023, has often been a lightning rod for criticism. In an anonymous player poll that same year, 31.5% of the league voted him the most overrated player, ahead of stars like Trae Young, Zion Williamson, and Bradley Beal.
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Statistically, Thompson averaged 8.3 points and 7.8 rebounds across 13 NBA seasons, a modest record compared to Howard’s 18.4 points, 13 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks across 18 seasons. Fans often question why Thompson remains on rosters while Howard, a former NBA champion, has been sidelined.
One player even remarked, “Someone like him has made a whole career out of playing with LeBron.”
The Kardashian Connection
Thompson’s off-court life has often overshadowed his on-court contributions. His highly publicized relationship with Khloé Kardashian began in 2016, leading to the birth of their daughter True in 2018 and son Tatum in 2022. The couple endured multiple breakups following Thompson’s cheating scandals before officially separating.
Despite the turmoil, Khloé and the Kardashian-Jenner family stepped in to help care for Thompson’s younger brother Amari, who lives with a disability, while the NBA player continues his career in Cleveland.
Today, Thompson is seen more as a veteran locker-room presence than a major contributor on the court. As retirement approaches, fans wonder whether his legacy will be tied more to his basketball career or his celebrity connections.
A Debate That Won’t End Soon
While Dwight Howard’s jab may have been fueled by hot sauce rather than raw honesty, it reflects a wider sentiment in NBA circles: Tristan Thompson’s reputation often leans more on headlines than stat lines. Whether fair or not, the debate over Thompson’s career — and his Kardashian ties — is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
