Los Angeles Cop Wants to Talk to Lebron James About His ‘Disturbing’ Views on Policing

A Black Los Angeles cop has penned an open letter to National Basketball Association (NBA) star LeBron James inviting him to discuss his "irresponsible and disturbing" attacks on police.

Deon Joseph, who has worked in Los Angeles' Skid Row area for two decades, invited LeBron James to have a talk after the NBA player tweeted his comments about the fatal police shooting of 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant in Ohio that appeared to be targeting the cop who shot the teen, Fox News reported.

Deon Joseph posted a letter addressed to LeBron James on his Facebook page on Sunday, where he called the NBA star's stance on policing "off base and extreme."

LeBron James was known to have frequently spoken out against racism and police misconduct.

LeBron James' Tweet

The star player for the Los Angeles Lakers faced criticism after tweeting a photo last week of the white Ohio cop who shot Bryant four times. In the since-deleted tweet, James wrote: "YOU'RE NEXT #ACCOUNTABILITY," Breitbart News reported.

Byrant was a Black teenage girl shot by a cop after brandishing a knife. Police officers were said to have seen Bryant brandishing a knife and charging toward a person who falls back.

She also reportedly lunged at another person who stumbled backward against a car parked in the driveway. And when Bryant raised the knife as if about to stab her, an officer opens fire.

Bryant's shooting came after the Minneapolis jury convicted former cop Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd.

"As a man of faith, I can have no hatred toward you. But I do feel I can help you understand the reality of the profession of policing, and that there is another side you need to hear," Deon Joseph wrote in the letter.

Joseph added that he was also tired of Black people dying and hate racism and police brutality as well. However, he noted that he could not paint "800,000 men and women" who are also mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, community members, and "just human with such a broad and destructive brush."

Meanwhile, LeBron James said that he deleted the tweet as it creates more hate.

"This isn't about one officer. It's about the entire system and they always use our words to create more racism. I am so desperate for more ACCOUNTABILITY," James noted as reported by Heavy.

Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton said that James' tweet incited violence against the Ohio police officer, adding that it was "disgraceful and dangerous."

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association released a statement on Derek Chauvin's conviction, saying Floyd's murder was a flashpoint for how they look at race and justice in the country, and they were pleased that justice appeared to have been served.

Killed By The Police

Daunte Wright was killed earlier this month while he was driving with his girlfriend. Officers stopped the 20-year-old Black man for a traffic violation, and police tried to detain him for an outstanding warrant.

Brooklyn Center police officer Kimberly Potter shot him while he was trying to get back into his car. The former police chief said it was an accident, saying that Potter mistakenly took her gun for her taser, Aljazeera reported. Police Chief Tim Gannon and Potter both resigned. The latter was charged with second-degree manslaughter.

In 2020, Rayshard Brooks was shot in the back twice by police officers after he struggled and fled. Former officers Garrett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan were involved in the incident.

Rolfe was fired and is now facing 11 charges, which include felony murder. Brosnan is also facing a number of charges, including aggravated assault. Other victims shot by cops were Breonna Taylor and Daniel Prude.

WATCH: LeBron James Tweets, Deletes Call for Police' Accountability' in Columbus Teen's Shooting Death - From FOX 11 Los Angeles