October 28, 2014 – Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland
Fourth Quarter Begins
The Cavs huddled up near the bench.
LeBron clapped Michael's shoulder.
"Finish it."
Michael just nodded, rolling his neck, eyes locked on the Knicks across the court.
Opening Play
Knicks ball. Melo caught it near the elbow, jabbed twice against Michael.
"Try blocking this one, rookie."
He rose for the jumper.
Michael didn't even jump.He just extended his arm calmly—finger grazing the ball, altering its path.
Clank.
Tristan grabbed the board, kicked it out to Kyrie, who sprinted upcourt with Michael trailing.
Kyrie stopped at the arc, waited for the defense to collapse, then zipped it to Michael on the baseline.
Pump fake. Step-through. Two points.
Simple.
The Onslaught Continues
Next possession, Cavs ball.
Michael caught it at the top of the key.Shumpert stepped up, crouching low.
Michael dribbled between his legs, hard crossover right, snatched it back left.
Shumpert stumbled.Michael rose, smooth and unhurried.
Splash.
He jogged back on defense, expression blank.
TNT Commentary
Kenny: "He's making NBA defenders look like summer league invites."
Shaq: "They better send a double-team or he's gonna drop 60 on them."
Barkley: "If they double, LeBron and Kyrie eat. Pick your poison."
Defensive Pressure
Knicks tried to reset.
Calderon ran a high pick with Dalembert. Michael switched onto him effortlessly, staying low, arms wide.
Calderon hesitated, then drove baseline.
Michael slid step for step, cut him off, then poked the ball loose. Dion grabbed it, pushed upcourt.
"TRAIL!" Dion yelled.
Michael was already there.
Dion lobbed it high.Michael caught it mid-stride, twisted in the air, and flushed it down with a vicious windmill.
The arena lost its mind.
Trash Talk Evolution
As he landed, Michael stared straight at the Knicks bench.
"Send someone else."
Melo shook his head, defeated.
Social Media Frenzy
Twitter – #MichaelSchmidt
@BleacherReport: "Is this the greatest rookie debut ever? Michael Schmidt has 49 with 8 minutes left."
@KnicksNation: "Can we forfeit the season already?"
@TheSkipBayless: "ONE GAME. Calm down, people. He won't do this against the Bulls defense."
@NBAMemes: [photo of Bargnani getting dunked on] "Pray for this man."
Michael's Reality
The noise around him was deafening.
But inside?
Silence.
Just his pulse. His breath.And the quiet certainty that no one on this court could stop him.
Final Moments
4:02 left on the clock.
Cavs up big. Blatt motioned to the bench.
"Sub him out," LeBron said. "He's done enough."
But Michael shook his head.
"One more."
Blatt hesitated. LeBron nodded.
"Let him."
The Final Statement
Cavs ball. Kyrie dribbled leisurely, letting the clock tick.
Then he handed it off to Michael.
Isolation at the wing. Melo stepped up, exhausted but prideful.
Michael bounced the ball slowly.
Then exploded left.Melo cut him off.Michael spun right, rose for the fadeaway from 20 feet.
Net.Clean.
The crowd erupted, chanting:
"MVP! MVP!"
TNT Commentary
Shaq: "You hear that? First game, and they're already chanting MVP."
Kenny: "I… I'm speechless."
Barkley: "League in trouble."
Subbed Out
Blatt finally called him to the bench.As Michael walked off, the entire arena stood, roaring.
LeBron slapped his chest. Kyrie ruffled his hair.
"Welcome to the league, kid," Dion said, grinning wide.
Michael just sat down calmly, sipping water.
End of Fourth Quarter Score
Cavaliers 118 – Knicks 95
End of Chapter Stats (End of Game)
Points: 51Rebounds: 14Assists: 4Steals: 1Blocks: 5FG: 20/263PT: 5/6
Final Note
As the buzzer sounded and reporters swarmed courtside, Michael leaned back against the bench, eyes closed.
This wasn't satisfaction.
This wasn't pride.
This was just the beginning.