Tristan Thompson’s basketball career has often been overshadowed by the spotlight of reality television. When he returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023, it wasn’t his stats that got people talking-it was his personal life. His split from Khloé Kardashian had gone public, and a league-wide anonymous poll labeled him the most overrated player in the NBA.
That label has stuck. Unlike Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who silenced critics with a breakout season, Thompson has struggled to escape the perception that he has benefitted more from timing than talent. While his veteran presence in Cleveland is respected, his name often trends more for appearances on The Kardashians than for game-winning plays.
Recently, former All-Star Dwight Howard reignited the debate in an unexpected setting. Howard, fresh off his Hall of Fame celebration, joined Netflix’s Inside: USA, a competition show that mixes high-stakes challenges with reality TV drama. On the very first day, he faced a quiz with a twist: contestants had to eat a tortilla chip coated in hot sauce measuring over 135,000 scoville units before answering questions.
Dwight Howard Drops a Spicy Take
Howard’s challenge question: “Who is the most overrated NBA player and why?”
Struggling through the heat, Howard stammered before blurting out, “Tristan… Tristan Thompson. ‘Cause he went with a Kardashian.” The comment drew gasps from the cast and quickly spread online. Clips from the moment went viral, with fans weighing in on whether Howard’s answer was a slip of the tongue or his true feelings.
What made the moment hit harder is that Howard’s career résumé speaks for itself. He averaged 18.4 points, 13 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks across 18 seasons, collected three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and helped the Los Angeles Lakers win the 2020 NBA championship. Thompson, by comparison, has career averages of 8.3 points and 7.8 rebounds.
Thompson’s Career vs. Public Image
Thompson’s name has long been tied as much to the Kardashian brand as to basketball. His relationship with Khloé, their two children True and Tatum, and the family’s support for his younger brother Amari, have been widely covered in the media. Even his on-court scuffle with Toronto Raptors players in February made headlines more for the drama than the box score.
In fact, The Athletic’s 2023 NBA player poll had already named him the league’s most overrated, with more than 30% of players voting him into the top spot. Howard may have simply said out loud what many in the league already believe.
Howard’s answer, whether honest or hot-sauce induced, put Thompson back at the center of NBA conversation. And while Thompson remains on a roster, fans are left to wonder if his second act will be remembered more for his time in Cleveland-or for the reality TV storylines that continue to follow him.
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