New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently faced criticism from Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma over remarks about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Kuzma mocked Mamdani, calling him a ‘mayor playing president’ and suggesting the mayor focused more on appearances than governance. Kuzma’s comments followed Mamdani’s video calling for Netanyahu’s arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant. The mayor had asked if New York City could arrest Netanyahu during his potential visit for the United Nations General Assembly.
Kuzma expressed disdain in a quote tweet, saying it’s common in 2026 for people to portray roles they lack the authority or talent for, simply for content. This came after Mamdani released a video demanding consequences for Netanyahu, accusing him of genocide against Palestinians.
Though Kuzma criticized Mamdani, other NBA stars like Kyrie Irving and Victor Wembanyama showed support for the mayor by liking his Instagram post. Mamdani’s comments have faced mixed reactions, including criticism from Jewish organizations due to his rhetoric on Israel. Mamdani initially explored if NYC police could arrest Netanyahu but acknowledged legal limits prevented any action against visiting foreign leaders.
Kuzma’s remarks highlight a divide among NBA figures, contrasting with the support from players like Irving. While some, including Kuzma, push for Mamdani to focus on local city issues like crime and housing, Irving’s and Wembanyama’s endorsements show varying perspectives within the league.
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