NBA Fans got themselves talking online after the infamous X/Twitter parody page, NBA Centel, offered them a question. That is, to which NBA player can rising NFL star CJ Stroud be compared, albeit for the wrong reasons.
Many NBA Fans have tuned in to the NFL Playoffs, and some are currently disappointed with Stroud’s playoff antics. In three years as the team’s starting QB, the youngin always led the Houston Texans to heartbreaking Divisional Round losses, never showing up when it mattered most.
However, this season was arguably the worst for Stroud, as he performed so poorly that the only reason the Texans beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card was the team’s defense. Stroud’s two touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 51.9% completion rate really made NBA Fans boil.
And of course, some NBA Fans like @bryarea couldn’t help but compare Stroud to the NBA’s youngins-turned-busts. The user mentioned Ben Simmons as the perfect fit. User @ogKOBEWAN also voted for Simmons.
September 28, 2025, Houston, Texas, U.S: Houston Texans quarterback CJ. Stroud (7) leaves the field following Houston’s 26-0 win over the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on September 28, 2025. (Credit Image: © Erik Williams/ZUMA Press Wire)NBA Fans
“This is easily the most accurate given the rookie seasons,” one userwrote.
This is easily the most accurate given the rookie seasons
— Bunny Colvin (@CaneColvin) January 19, 2026
“This the only answer !!!” one userremarked.
NBA Fans clearly remember how Ben Simmons took the league by surprise early in his career. Simmons set multiple rookie marks that only NBA legends have done. And to top it off, he also had a formidable team in Philadelphia, flexing that all-around play that brought the team to multiple playoff stints.
However, NBA Fans also knew that Simmons also struggled in the postseason. The defining moment came in Philly’s heartbreaking loss to Toronto in the 2019 Semifinals. For many, that was the final nail in the coffin for Simmons’ stardom, and he has never recovered since.
And for NBA Fans who are also Houston Texans fans? They continue to hope that Stroud wouldn’t share the same fate as Simmons.
Many NBA Fans also compared Stroud to other players
While many NBA Fans have Simmons as the perfect match for Stroud’s woes, some didn’t hesitate to compare the Texans QB to more candidates.
September 28, 2025, Houston, Texas, U.S: Houston Texans quarterback CJ. Stroud (7) runs onto the field prior to the NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on September 28, 2025. (Credit Image: © Erik Williams/ZUMA Press Wire）NBA Fans
One user, @SgtHamSteak compared Stroud to this particular player,writing, “Kinda like Andrew Wiggins, 1st year full of hype and promise has been good but underwhelming since.” However, NBA Fans pointed out that, unlike Stroud, Wiggins had actually won an NBA title back in 2022.
Kinda like Andrew Wiggins, 1st year full of hype and promise
has been good but underwhelming since
— Elijah (@SgtHamSteak) January 18, 2026
NBA Fans also mentioned two candidates, both played for Philly. One is big man Joel Embiid, which was also a beast in his early years. However, the wide consensus of Fans had Michael Carter-Williams as a pick, which was also stellar in his rookie years until becoming a bust soon after.
September 28, 2025, Houston, Texas, U.S: Houston Texans quarterback CJ. Stroud (7) passes the ball upfield on a quarterback scramble during the third quarter of the NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX on September 28, 2025. (Credit Image: © Erik Williams/ZUMA Press Wire)
