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Gilbert Arenas Escalates LeBron–Stephen A. Feud With Joking 'Sucker-Punch' Call and $20K Taunt

Smith publicly warns Arenas against joking about jail given his federal indictment.

Overview

  • Arenas posted a viral clip urging Stephen A. Smith to hit LeBron James on December 30, pointing to the Lakers’ game against the Pistons in Detroit on James’s 41st birthday.
  • In the video, Arenas theatrically suggested Smith bring a boxing glove and strike James during a timeout, framing the scenario as a joke for maximum shock value.
  • A separate Arenas stream mocked Smith’s nephew after an 18–0 Madden loss, with Arenas claiming a $20,000 wager tied to Stephen A.’s company credit card.
  • Smith responded by telling Arenas to stop treating jail as a punchline and noted the serious implications for sponsors, advertisers, and business partners.
  • The jabs revive a months-long rift that included a courtside confrontation and Smith’s assertion of a “zero” relationship with LeBron, now amplified by Arenas’s legal troubles and social-media reach.