October 28, 2014 – Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
The second quarter began with a different energy.This wasn't just LeBron's homecoming anymore.
This was a coronation.
Michael Schmidt jogged back onto the court. Calm. Cold. Focused.He didn't look at the crowd. Didn't wave to fans.His eyes were locked straight ahead.
Because tonight wasn't about them.
Tonight was about him.
Opening Possession
Knicks ball.Calderon dribbled up, called for Melo to post on the wing.
LeBron crouched, arms wide, but Michael called it before it even happened.
"Fade's coming, Bron."
Melo jabbed twice, rose for the fadeaway jumper.
Smack.
Michael's fingertips brushed the ball, altering the shot just enough.Clank off the rim.Tristan grabbed the rebound, flipped it to Kyrie.Michael was already sprinting.
Kyrie tossed a high lob in transition. Michael caught it mid-stride and hammered a tomahawk dunk over Bargnani's late contest.
The arena detonated.
"WHO IS THIS KID?!" Kenny Smith shouted on TNT.
Trash Talk Awakens
Melo jogged back, glaring at him.
"You're lucky, rook."
Michael tilted his head slightly, eyes unblinking.
"Lucky is thinking you can guard me."
He turned and walked away before Melo could respond.
Defensive Dominance
Next Knicks possession. Bargnani tried to attack Tristan, spun baseline for a scoop layup.
Nope.
Michael rotated from the weak side, volleyball-spiking the ball off the backboard. It ricocheted out to half court. Dion Waiters scooped it up, flipped it back to Michael trailing.
He stopped at the three-point line. Shumpert closed out hard.
Michael jabbed left, then rose straight into a high-release three.
Splash.
The net snapped so crisply it echoed across the arena.
Shumpert backpedaled, shaking his head.
"Okay… okay then."
Michael didn't say a word.
His stare said enough.
Bench Reactions
On the sideline, Dion turned to Kyrie, eyes wide.
"He's not human."
Kyrie just smirked, sipping his Gatorade.
"Told you."
TNT Commentary
Shaq was cackling. "This boy built DIFFERENT. Shumpert might retire at halftime."
Charles Barkley shook his head. "He's got that MJ vibe. Just stone cold."
Kenny Smith leaned forward. "Nah, this ain't MJ. This is something new."
Offensive Clinic
Timeout Knicks. Cavs up 48-39.
Lue drew up a horns set. Kyrie dribbled right off Michael's screen, pulled both defenders with him. Kicked it back to Michael at the top.
Bargnani switched onto him.
Michael dribbled once with his left. Paused.
"Back up," he said calmly. "Or I'll embarrass you worse."
Bargnani tried stepping forward instead.
Mistake.
Michael snatched the ball back into a lethal step-back three. Bargnani flailed to contest.
The ball sank through the net without touching rim.
Michael backpedaled, staring him down.
"You chose wrong."
Melo's Challenge
Next possession, the Knicks forced a switch. Melo ended up guarding Michael at the top. The crowd rose to its feet.
Melo smirked. "Show me something then."
Michael dribbled twice, studying him.Then exploded left, stopped on a dime, spun back right, rose for the fadeaway jumper.
Melo jumped to contest, hand inches from the ball.
Too late.
The shot dropped perfectly.Michael landed, eyes boring into Melo's soul.
"That enough?" he asked, voice ice cold.
Melo clenched his fists, shaking his head. "You ain't seen nothing yet."
Halftime Buzzer Beater
Final play before halftime. Cavs ball. Kyrie dribbled out the clock, passed to Michael with three seconds left.
He pump faked, stepped through two defenders, and rose for a contested mid-range fade.
Buzzer.
Swish.
The crowd roared as Michael jogged straight to the tunnel, not even watching it fall.
Locker Room Silence
Inside, the team was electric. Dion slapped his back.
"Yo, you're a killer, man."
Michael looked at him, eyes flat and empty.
"No."
"I'm worse."
LeBron chuckled, shaking his head.
"Keep that edge, rook."
Michael sat down, unwrapping his tape calmly.
"I'm not here to edge anything," he said quietly. "I'm here to take it all."
The room fell silent.
TNT Halftime Analysis
Kenny Smith: "This isn't just a rookie having a hot night. This is the birth of a problem for the entire league."
Shaq: "He got that assassin blood."
Barkley stared at the camera.
"Remember this game. This is the beginning."
Halftime Stats
Points: 29
Rebounds: 7
Assists: 2
Steals: 0
Blocks: 3
FG: 12/15
3PT: 3/4