Running Twitter trolls LeBron as he enters free agency

Call your bookie. We could be about to see a contest of historic proportions.

Not really. The running site Citius Mag revived its LeBron trolling campaign when he entered free agency. But the prospect of facing him in a mile challenge seems to tickle Gladwell, nonetheless.

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Here was Gladwell’s response today:

PLEASE TELL ME THIS IS REAL https://t.co/rn9zcIBBiN

— Malcolm Gladwell (@Gladwell) July 2, 2018

It started last year, with the running site speculating that James might actually be a pretty good runner.

It continued with odds being set at who would win a mile race, James or Malcolm Gladwell, author of massive bestsellers The Tipping Point and Outliers who is both a serious runner and a huge hoops fan.

On June 1, Citius Mag tweeted the photo of James’s frustration with hapless teammate J.R. Smith, but with Gladwell’s face on Smith’s body. Gladwell loved it.

It’s too complicated to explain right now. But this is literally the funniest thing that has ever happened to me. https://t.co/RXvA6h7MUb

— Malcolm Gladwell (@Gladwell) June 2, 2018

That, of course, encouraged further trolling.

LeBron James will not exercise the option on the final year of his contract and will hit free agency, sources are telling @ryansterner1. https://t.co/JT0HrbumzM pic.twitter.com/64LNzrwJYu

— CITIUS MAG (@CitiusMag) June 29, 2018

When James became a free agent, the running site speculated he might find his next team in a different sport altogether, whereupon the Bowerman Track Club took up the thread. And Gladwell seemed to issue a challenge. 

It is obvious at this point that Lebron is ducking me. https://t.co/zsCNyj0GPs

— Malcolm Gladwell (@Gladwell) June 30, 2018

And then the “press release” from James, and Gladwell’s response:

PLEASE TELL ME THIS IS REAL https://t.co/rn9zcIBBiN

— Malcolm Gladwell (@Gladwell) July 2, 2018

It would be epic, no doubt. But folks, don’t hold your breath.