December 15, 2013 – Madison Square Garden.
Howard vs. Syracuse.
A showcase game.
The moment was made for someone else. Syracuse had the media push. The fan base. The #6 ranking.
But Michael Schmidt walked in like he owned the building.
And by the time the night ended, no one doubted it.
Warmups were quiet. Michael barely looked at the cameras circling him.
His teammates were nervous. National TV. MSG lights. NBA scouts in the front row.
Michael didn't say much. Just leaned in during the huddle and said:
"We write our name on their court tonight."
Tip-off. Syracuse came out swinging. They pressed early. Hit threes in transition. Swarmed Michael off the catch.
Howard trailed 22–10 eight minutes in.
Timeout.
Coach Beasley pulled the clipboard up. Started diagramming a motion set.
Michael placed a hand on it.
"I've got it."
Beasley paused. Then stepped back.
"Then show me."
What followed was a blitz.
Michael scored 15 straight points in five minutes. Pull-ups. And-ones. A eurostep that dropped Syracuse's point guard on the floor.
By halftime, Howard led 41–39.
MSG was stunned.
Second half.
Syracuse adjusted—boxed-and-one defense. Longer wings shadowing Michael. Didn't matter.
He adapted mid-possession. Started hitting cutters. Throwing behind-the-back no-look passes. Feeding the post.
And when they backed off? He drilled threes like warmups.
With two minutes left, the game was tied. Howard ball.
Michael walked it up. Looked into the crowd. Spotted an NBA exec writing notes.
He smiled.
Crossover. Hesitation. Blow-by. Elevation.
Dunk. Over their center.
The rim shook. The crowd erupted.
And Syracuse never recovered.
Final score: Howard 84 – Syracuse 77.
Michael's stat line:
39 points
9 assists
5 rebounds
4 steals
[System Notification: Legendary Performance Detected][Template Progress: 71.89% → 73.32%][Trait Unlocked: Killer Instinct II]
[Legacy Trait Path Strengthened – Public Recognition Node Activated]
Michael sat in the locker room, towel over his head.
The gym shook with press. Scouts hovered outside.
Beasley walked in, arms crossed, and said nothing.
Just stared.
Michael looked up.
"That enough to shape history?"
Beasley grunted.
"History's watching now. Don't blink."