It was supposed to be a signing that would bring reality show greatness to Boston: Tristan Thompson inking a two-year deal with the Celtics.
But Khloe Kardashian never moved to the East Coast with her on-again, off-again partner. Even when the TD Garden opened up to fans this spring, there were no Kardashian sightings in the stands or on Causeway Street. But if they did come, they wouldn’t have had much to watch: Thompson averaged a mere 7.6 points per game last season.
Though Thompson seldom made headlines for his performance on the court, he was a fixture in the gossip section, and the trend is continuing this summer. On Monday, Page Six reported the couple broke up a few weeks ago, splitting up shortly after Instagram model Sydney Chase claimed she hooked up with the veteran big man in the fall.
More recently, there was a story in the ever-reputable Daily Mail about Thompson disappearing into a bedroom with three women at a Bel Air house party, where he apparently emerged after 30 minutes “looking disheveled” — according to sources. Drake, Diddy and Chris Brown were also reportedly at the ritzy shindig.
One day earlier, Thompson was spotted having lunch with Kardashian and their three-year-old daughter, True.
Thompson started dating Kardashian in 2016, when Thompson was a key cog in LeBron James’ pursuit to bring a title to Cleveland. The forward was tough defensively and nasty in the paint. He averaged 9 or more rebounds per game in four out of five seasons.
The Celtics signed Thompson hoping he could improve their subpar presence inside, but that didn’t happen. He was a virtual non-factor on the court most of the time, though he still found himself in the middle of inner-team controversy. Earlier this year, Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer said he was “not loved in the locker room.” His words came in the midst of Thompson’s second time missing games due to COVID-19 protocols. The Celtics led the league in that category last season.
When Thompson returned to the court, he made it a point to call out O’Connor. “That guy, Kevin O’Connor — I don’t know if I should mention his name or not, because he doesn’t deserve my two cents, but I remember every name because I am like an elephant,” Thompson said, via Boston.com. “So, with him saying I’m not liked in the locker room, that was funny, because that’s not the case.”
For what it’s worth, Thompson’s teammates backed him up. Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown offered their support on Twitter, while Thompson is also reportedly close with Jayson Tatum.
Thompson carried himself with authority in front of the virtual media this year. He declared the playoffs are what really matters, and midway through the Brooklyn series, he talked some smack about the Nets.
“We don’t give a s— about (the Nets’ swagger),” he told reporters. “We’re not intimidated or anything like that.”
Later in that session, Thompson seemingly blamed the Celtics’ struggles on the lack of fans at the Garden. “We just need some f—- fans in the arena,” he said.
Unfortunately, the Celtics went 1-1 at home against the Nets, dropping that fateful Game 4 matchup.
Thompson scored 5 points in the front of the sold-out crowd he was clamoring for.
It’s hard to find a better metaphor for his first season in Boston than that.