It was almost déjà vu all over again (to borrow from Yogi Berra) in Detroit for Sixers coach Mo Cheeks.

Karen Smith, the anthem singer before the game with the Pistons, was about halfway through when she just stopped singing. Suddenly, The Palace seemed awfully quiet.

That’s when one fan yelled, “Help her, Mo.” Cheeks smiled, and fortunately Smith resumed singing without an assist from Cheeks.

In case you didn’t know the story, a few years ago when he was coaching in Portland, the Blazers hired a 10-year old girl to sing, but a few bars in she just went blank and stopped singing. After an excruciating pause, Cheeks walked over to the girl, put his arm around her and started singing with her.

It made national news, and clued in people from all over about just what kind of guy Cheeks is.