Republican candidate Donald Trump has clinched another four-year term as President, narrowly defeating Democratic contender Kamala Harris in a fiercely contested election. While Trump’s win was historic, many NBA fans turned to social media, poking fun at Harris’ unsuccessful campaign with playful, and sometimes brutal, basketball analogies.
On social media platform X, fans jumped into a thread asking for NBA comparisons to describe Harris’ failed bid, with responses drawing a mix of humor and criticism. Many comments likened her campaign to basketball players and teams known for falling short of success, showing how sports culture has crossed into political commentary. One user wrote, “Someone explain Kamala Harris in NBA terms,” which opened the floodgates to responses featuring some of the NBA’s most mocked figures.
Fans brought up comparisons to LeBron James’ son Bronny, Lakers’ former coach Darvin Ham, and NBA star Russell Westbrook, who has faced scrutiny in recent years. “She’s Bronny James on the Lakers,” one fan wrote, implying Harris had opportunities laid out for her but failed to meet expectations. Others responded with names like “Darvin Ham” and “Westbrick,” a nickname for Westbrook, hinting at perceived shortcomings.
Beyond individual players, fans even compared Harris’ campaign to underperforming NBA teams. The now-defunct Charlotte Bobcats, the 2020 Miami Heat, and the pre-Kawhi Leonard Los Angeles Clippers all made the list. One user posted simply, “Charlotte Bobcats bro,” while another wrote, “The Clippers before PG left,” reflecting the general sentiment that Harris’ campaign didn’t deliver.
Harris, the first female Vice President, had the support of President Joe Biden, who stepped aside for her run. Yet, despite endorsements from figures like NBA icons LeBron James and Steph Curry, her campaign fell short. Curry openly endorsed Harris at the Democratic National Convention, drawing on his Olympic experience to emphasize unity. He expressed hope that Harris could bring similar unity to the country. LeBron James, too, took to X to show his support, urging his followers to vote for her.
On the other side, Trump’s victory garnered congratulations from NBA personalities like Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaac and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. With Trump set to return to the White House, his supporters look forward to a familiar face in leadership, even as Harris’ campaign draws comparisons to sports’ most memorable missteps.
