Playing the Field: Miami Heat does the Harlem Shake

What is it about catchy songs that create parody videos? And why do they keep leaking into the sports world?

First we had the “Call Me Maybe” singalongs, led by Missy Franklin and the U.S. swim team last summer in London. Then of course we had “Gangnam Style.” which I think is somehow still a thing. Seven-time tennis major winner Novak Djokovic, Minnesota men’s basketball head coach Tubby Smith and the Ohio University marching band were among the biggest getting in on the act.

And now we have the “Harlem Shake,” in all its annoying bass and brevity.

There are literally hour-long videos on YouTube with version after version of the “Harlem Shake” stacked on top of one another. Remember in “Zero Dark Thirty” when they stuffed that guy in the box? Yeah, they should’ve just made him watch one of those videos.

Nonetheless, it didn’t take long for the sports world to get in on the “Harlem Shake” fad. But it’s a bit surprising the first professional team to film their “Harlem Shake” video was none other than the defending NBA champion Miami Heat.

And yes, that is LeBron James — replete in crown and robe — breaking it down front and center.

I’m gonna guess this was all Chris “Birdman” Anderson’s idea though. He’s the tattoo-covered nutjob who opens the video with his subtle moves. Dwyane Wade would be the one who smartly covers his face in the teddy bear costume, if you didn’t figure it out. And where the heck did Chris Bosh find that giant, gold, old-school boombox?

In all fairness, the video is actually pretty good. And that is impressive, considering the annoyance-level the “Harlem Shake” is generating about now.

Follow Metro New York Sports Editor Mark Osborne on Twitter @MetroNYSports.