WATCH: NFL legend Marcellus Wiley calls out LeBron James’ targeting of police officer who saved a young woman’s life

On the April 22nd episode of the sports-centered debate show Speak For Yourself, NFL legend Marcellus Wiley and his co-host discussed Lebron James' tweet regarding the shooting of Ma'Khia Bryant by police in Ohio earlier this week.

Police responded to an attempted stabbing call, finding Bryant with a kitchen knife, perched over another girl, ready to strike. An officer fatally shot Bryant, saving the other girl. Coming just after Derek Chauvin was found guilty in the murder of George Floyd, the shooting fuelled outrage across the country, with many jumping to conclusions and posting on social media. Among those who took to Twitter to voice their opinions was Lebron James.

"You're next", James said in the now deleted tweet, referring to the officer who shot Bryant.

In a later tweet, James tried to explain himself, saying that he "took down the tweet because its being used to create more hate".

The next day, on his show Marcellus Wiley was having none of it. "The accountability that was deleted in that tweet is ironic", he began. Accountability "is something that we all need right now in this moment, accountability on all sides with all sides, with all people, whether your talking about the police officers, whether your talking about the individuals in this situation, or even the victim in this situation. Every situation with accountability, not just rooting interest".

He made sure to mention that he thought James was, in the world of basketball, "second best ever, maybe even the G.O.A.T.", but lamented the fact that he "defers at critical times" during the game. "When it's a real issue, not just basketball wins and losses and points scored, when it's real life issues, where's the deferring?"

Wiley stated that James "should've passed in this moment. People always say shut up and dribble, naw, just shhh and pass; wait for it to come, and then you'll be able to see things clearer."

"This is what happens when you want to be first, not right", he continued. "[James] has that platform, he has that power, he has those followers and he knows that those people are listening for every single word that he's going to profess."

Wiley warned viewers that "Emotions can't trump logic; your agenda can't go before your acumen; you can't pander before your principles."

He went on to suggest that James spends too much time calling out 'the system', saying, "the same system that is so broken it allowed you to become a billionaire and never get arrested in it? But the system it broken? Oh you're speaking for other people. We have enough people out here telling us what not to do! How about somebody who has made it; single parent, movin' around. I'd love to hear that story of how you became Lebron James against all odds, instead of professing that the odds are against all people!"

"You gotta look before you leap. Lebron just leaped on this one because he knew his followers would catch him."

Wiley ended the discussion by pointing out that "We're having our kids grow up in a world where they're gonna know victims names before they know professors names, and wise scholars like Thomas Sowell."

The show drew mixed reactions from audiences, but most agreed with Wiley that James should not have been so reckless given his ability to influence.