Watch Usher sing the national anthem before the NBA Finals' Game 4

The Cleveland Cavaliers were about to tip off against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. Naturally, the national anthem begins any American sporting event. Since there’s a chance this could be the last game of the year for the Cavs, there was only one real pick for the performer: minority franchise owner/occasional R&B singer Usher.

The star more affectionately known as Ursher Raymond took it real sloooow this time. Maybe this was a personal request by LeBron James, who likes his anthems more slow-jammy than guitar-driven and abstract. Watch the sultry performance below. Maybe this is what lulled the Cavs into their slow first-half start.