New Yorkers sound off on Irving’s five-game suspension over antisemitic tweet

New Yorkers outside Barclays Center voiced their support for Kyrie Irving on Thursday night in the wake of his suspension for at least five games for refusing to disavow antisemitism.

Irving was benched without pay after he failed to publicly apologize for sharing a link to the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America!”

But some fans stood by the star point guard.

“This is America,” Pedro Pabon told the Daily News. “He should be able to say anything or post anything he wants. There are worse things happening in the world.”

The 53-year-old Manhattanite said the Nets player should not have been disciplined for the since-removed tweet.

“Listen, someone is always upset over something, whether it’s good or bad. Look at what happened to Kanye West. The things they say aren’t personal. Kyrie is one of those people who says things to get attention. So does Kanye West.”

Last month, Ye, the 24-time Grammy winner formally known as Kanye West, tweeted that he was going to go “Death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE,” before continuing an antisemitic tirade.

Casandra Muzac, 35, of Queens echoed Pabon’s sentiment.

“He posted about a film and people shared it,” Muzac said. “He shouldn’t have been suspended. He just reposted about a film. He didn’t actually say anything about Jewish people. This is a big overreaction. I’m actually a Knicks fan but I’m a real New Yorker. Let Kyrie play!”

In a statement, the Nets said Irving’s failure to apologize and “disavow antisemitism” is “deeply disturbing.”

“Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.”

A U.S. Army veteran from Jamaica, Queens, agreed with the team’s decision.

“Soldiers like me stood on guard posts to defend his right to say what he wants, but he still has a responsibility for what he has to say,” said Kenneth Rhodes Jr., 40. “They should absolutely be penalizing Kyrie Irving. He posted about that film and people shared it. [NBA Commissioner] Adam Silver is right — it wasn’t enough. He needs to apologize.”