The Cleveland Cavaliers kept the NBA Finals alive for one more night at least with a spectacular 137-116 victory last night, in which LeBron James broke the NBA record for the most career triple-doubles in the playoffs.
The star-studded Warriors now lead the series 3-1 and will attempt to close it out on home soil in Oakland in Game 4, but in defeat lost their opportunity to become the first NBA team ever to go undefeated in the playoffs.
But during an extraordinary game, even the commentary team produced an NBA first - namely a staunch defence of the Kardashian family.
A decent start last night notwithstanding, Cavs power forward Tristan Thompson has endured a woeful series as a whole, averaging less than three points per game - a slump which many armchair pundits have put down to his relationship with Khloe Kardashian, and the subsequently intensified publicity he faces on a daily basis.
Thompson is certainly not the first American athlete to come down with The Yips having been in a relationship with a member of the Kardashian clan; NFL running back Reggie Bush rushed for over 3,000 yards and 16 touchdowns between 2011 and 2013, having struggled for just 1,500 yards in the four previous seasons while 'involved' with Kim Kardashian.
Former NBA star Lamar Odom's struggles both during and after his marriage to Khloe Kardashian are altogether more serious. While the former LA Laker has reportedly struggled with substance abuse since college, his recent woes have doubtless been exacerbated by his becoming a nationwide celebrity as opposed to the NBA star he once was.
'The Kardashian Curse' is a genuine point of contention between many US sports fans, but it's rarely if ever spoken about on television broadcasts.
Enter Jeff van Gundy, who last night unleashed an impassioned defence of Khloe Kardashian in particular in light of recent criticism regarding her perceived negative influence on Tristan Thompson's form. The former coach and current ESPN analyst lambasted those who had peddled 'The Curse' narrative, and pointed out that the spouses or significant others of Thompson's fellow NBA stars are rarely scrutinised in the same way when a player is struggling to perform.
Jeff van Gundy defends Khloe Kardashian
Jeff Van Gundy goes on rant defending Khloe Kardashian during game 4 of the NBA finals pic.twitter.com/SSz828NtV3
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) June 10, 2017
I’ve noticed a lot in this series the debate about why Tristan Thompson has not played well. 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.
My thing is this: When LeBron James struggled in 2011 in those Finals, did we say it was his significant other that caused him to not succeed? Or last year with Steph Curry, was it Steph Curry’s wife when he didn’t play up to standard?
No, this 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.
It is, of course, implicitly sexist and downright disgraceful to view an athlete's wife or girlfriend as 'a distraction' in relation to their profession. It's also worth pointing out that Tristan Thompson makes his own decisions, and as far as we're aware, has not been kidnapped by Khloe Kardashian or any member of her esteemed family.
But while many praised Van Gundy for alluding to the issue, some felt he missed the point entirely, while others were left simply wondering why on Earth he was talking about the Kardashians at all.
Jeff Van Gundy with an impassioned Kardashian defense! That was amazing
— nick wright (@getnickwright) June 10, 2017
Jeff Van Gundy did a better job defending Khloe Kardashian than Kyrie Irving has done defending Steph Curry
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) June 10, 2017
JVG using his platform to defend Khloe Kardashian is such a classy move. What a hero.
— Ross Bolen (@WRBolen) June 10, 2017
*deletes sarcastic tweet about Tristan Thompson after being shamed by Jeff Van Gundy*
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) June 10, 2017
No offense to JVG, but anyone who has seen what Lamar went thru... isn't coming to that family's defense. Sorry
— Jorge Sedano (@Sedano) June 10, 2017
If that's too much Kardashian for you - and Jesus, it is for this writer, at least - cleanse your soul by watching LeBron James pass to himself and score from last night's game.
Is this an elimination game or an all-star game? So ridiculous haha pic.twitter.com/wziInEnIUo
— Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) June 10, 2017
