‘Kardashian Kurse’ Hurts Tristan Thompson On Court, Commentators, Fans Say

Basketball players have always had quirky superstitions – lucky shorts or socks, pre-game rituals, and special handshakes have long been part of the sport. But a new superstition seems to be gaining validity in the basketball world: the ‘Kardashian Kurse.’

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ losing bid in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors has again sparked conversation about the curse unwittingly wielded by America’s favorite reality TV family.

Tristan Thompson, who is in a relationship with Khloe Kardashian, gave a lackluster showing in this year’s Finals, scoring zero points in two of the first three games of the series. NBA commentator and former player Jalen Rose chalked up the poor performance to Thompson’s beau.

“I want to say what everybody’s thinking. There are three things in life that are certain to me: Father Time, gravity, and the curse of the Kardashians,” Rose said.

But Rose’s theory was quickly knocked down by in-game commentator Jeff Van Gundy.

“I’ve noticed a lot in this series the debate about why Tristan Thompson has not played well,” Van Gundy said during a pause in the action in Game 4, the only game the Cavs won. “And he hasn’t played well. But the debate about whether his significant other, Khloe Kardashian, and the Kardashian curse, is the reason, to me, is downright low-rent.”

Van Gundy continued to explain that when LeBron James or Stephen Curry don’t meet expectations, no one blames their respective partners.

“The Kardashian shaming is because she’s an easy target. And I don’t know her or her family but I do know this: she deserves an apology for anybody who participated in that type of debate,” said Van Gundy.

Karsdashian, who attended several games during the Finals sporting Thompson’s jersey, has yet to comment on the natter over her family’s so-called curse.

For years, fans have linked several athlete’s drops in performance with their relationships with Kardashians.

Kardashian was blamed for ex-husband Lamar Odam‘s fall from grace in 2016, as news of his drug addiction spread. Kim Kardashian was blamed for football star Reggie Bush‘s drop in performance in 2009, when the pair dated, as well as for the flailing career of Kris Humphries, who was married to Kardashian for 72 days.