Stephen A. Smith is urging former NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas to cease making mild of his recent federal indictment, warning that the stakes are far too critical for jokes.

On a current episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, the ESPN host addressed a viral clip through which Arenas quipped that folks related to Smith are likely to get arrested. Smith responded with a pointy rebuke, urging Arenas to know the gravity of the authorized hassle he’s dealing with.

“Bro, I need you not to play around,” Smith mentioned. “I don’t want to see you behind bars. That’s not something to laugh about. When the feds come raiding your home, it’s not a joke.”

Smith emphasised that Arenas’ feedback might jeopardize future alternatives. “You’ve got people like me, ESPN, Underdog, and multiple sponsors that want to work with you,” he mentioned. “But not if you’re making light of federal charges.”

Smith additionally revisited Arenas’ notorious 2009 incident with teammate Javaris Crittenton, when the 2 introduced firearms into the Washington Wizards locker room. Arenas later mimicked firing weapons throughout pre-game introductions, which led then-NBA Commissioner David Stern to droop him indefinitely.

“You were clowning like it was all fun,” Smith mentioned. “Now you’re doing the same thing again.”

Arenas was indicted July 31 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. He is accused of working an unlawful playing ring out of a Los Angeles mansion from 2021 to 2022.

Federal prosecutors allege Arenas rented the Encino property to host high-stakes poker video games and instructed co-defendant Arthur Kats to handle the operation. Another co-defendant, Yevgeni Gershman, believed to have ties to Israeli organized crime, was additionally charged.

All six defendants face expenses of conspiracy and unlawful playing. Arenas additionally faces an extra depend of mendacity to federal investigators.

Following his launch, Arenas livestreamed a flippant recap of his detainment, joking about “snitching” and mocking jail situations. Smith, nonetheless, remained adamant:

“This isn’t a joke. It’s not funny to the people watching—and it shouldn’t be funny to you.”