In this file photo, LeBron James prepares for a press conference in a classroom at the I PROMISE School in Akron, Ohio. The 36-year-old Akron native tweeted in all caps “ACCOUNTABILITY” following Chauvin’s conviction for killing George Floyd. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Shortly after Twitter-dunking on former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin following his murder conviction, LeBron James took aim at another police officer.
But in the latter case, which happened in James’ home state of Ohio, instant replay may have reversed a controversial call.
On Tuesday, the 36-year-old Akron native tweeted in all caps “ACCOUNTABILITY” following Chauvin’s conviction for killing George Floyd. A short time later, after Ma’khia Bryant was shot dead in Columbus, Ohio, James was reportedly at it again, tweeting “YOU’RE NEXT #ACCOUNTABILITY,” along with a photo of a police officer at the scene of that shooting.
Ohio news station WKYC Studios reports that tweet was taken down Wednesday after video footage from a police officer’s body-cam appeared to show 16-year-old Ma’khia — armed with a knife — involved in a violent confrontation to which cops had been called. Several shots were fired, killing her. A knife was found by her body. The case is still under investigation.
James’ tweet reportedly got 5,000 replies before it was removed. Former baseball players Lenny Dykstra and Aubrey Huff came out swinging at James Wednesday.
“Many of us appreciate what LEO’s do,” tweeted Dykstra, who has had several run-ins with law enforcement officers.
Huff also blasted James for his criticism of cops. Arkansas senator Tom Cotton wondered if James’ tweet constituted a threat against a law enforcement officer that should be addressed by Twitter.
Officer Nicholas Reardon, who is white, has been identified as the cop who shot Ma’khia. He has been a Columbus police officer since December 2019 and is being placed on administrative leave.
Who is the highest paid player on every NBA team? Find out
Atlanta Hawks
Danilo Gallinari - $19,500,000
Boston Celtics
Kemba Walker - $34,379,100
Brooklyn Nets
James Harden - $41,254,920
Charlotte Hornets
Gordon Hayward - $28,500,000
Chicago Bulls
Otto Porter Jr. - $28,489,239
Cleveland Cavaliers
Kevin Love - $31,258,256
Dallas Mavericks
Kristaps Porzingis - $29,467,800
Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic - $29,542,010
Detroit Pistons
Blake Griffin - $36,810,996
Golden State Warriors
Stephen Curry - $43,006,362
Houston Rockets
John Wall - $41,254,920
Indiana Pacers
Malcolm Brogdon - $20,700,000
Los Angeles Clippers
Paul George - $35,450,412
Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James - $39,219,566
Memphis Grizzlies
Gorgui Dieng - $17,287,640
Miami Heat
Jimmy Butler - $34,379,100
Milwaukee Bucks
Khris Middleton - $33,051,724
Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns - $29,467,800
New Orleans Pelicans
Steven Adams - $29,592,695
New York Knicks
Julius Randle - $18,900,000
Oklahoma City Thunder
Al Horford - $27,500,000
Orlando Magic
Nikola Vucevic - $26,000,000
Philadelphia 76ers
Tobias Harris - $34,358,850
Phoenix Suns
Chris Paul - $41,358,814
Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard - $31,626,953
Sacramento Kings
Buddy Hield - $24,931,817
San Antonio Spurs
DeMar DeRozan - $27,739,975
Toronto Raptors
Pascal Siakam - $30,559,200
Utah Jazz
Mike Conley - $34,502,132
Washington Wizards
Russell Westbrook - $41,358,814
