"Stephen A. Smith vs Skip Bayless": NBA fans describe presidential debate in basketball terms with hilarious responses

NBA fans are discussing the first debate between United States presidential hopefuls Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on Tuesday, giving amusing takes on it on social media using basketball references.

Former U.S. President Trump (Republican) and current Vice-President Harris (Democrat) went back and forth on various issues on live television to make their respective causes known to voters ahead of the presidential election in November.

NBA fans were busy absorbing what they were saying, but at the same time, viewing the debate in a basketball light.

One X user said the presidential debate was akin to that between former First Take hosts Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless:

Another one, meanwhile, chose to be more recent, relating the debate with the exhange between former NBA star Paul Pierce and NFL legend Keyshawn Johnson over FS1's Speak:

"More like Keyshawn and Paul Pierce."

One user had the presidentiables likened to Patrick Beverley and Draymond Green, saying:

"Patrick Beverley vs Draymond Green.'"

Other comments centered on the performances of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.

"Trump is like Shaq in his final year in the league, past his prime," a fan pointed out about the former U.S. president.

One fan, for his part, likened Harris to oft-injured NBA star Ben Simmons, writing:

"Ben Simmons of politics."

One comment, meanwhile, highlighted how uneventful the debate was:

"Watching the 2 worst teams in the league play each other on a Tuesday night in January."

"G league teams made the NBA finals," said another user along the same lines.

The presidential debate was the first between Trump and Harris since securing the nod from their parties as candidates.

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Kamala Harris shows support for NBA Olympic squad

Prior to winning a fifth straight Olympic gold medal, the U.S. men's basketball team was visited by U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, who rallied behind the team as it embraked on its quest.

Harris flew to Las Vegas early and urged the squad to bring home the gold. The vice-president said:

"Truly, you all represent the best of the best. And being Team USA, it is about representing our nation. You are, as you are every day on and off the court, ambassadors for who we are as a country. You represent leaders in every walk of life. And for you to go to Paris and bring back the gold is just another example of your excellence, your teamwork, your compassion and your commitment."

Team USA did bring the gold medal from the Paris Olympics, beating host France in the championship game.