-Game 1- May 20, 2015
The atmosphere in the Amway Center was crazy. It was me vs. LeBron. The President vs. the King.
As I stepped onto the court, LeBron walked up to me. "We're going to do this again"
"It seems so." I answer him.
From the opening tip, we set the tone. I attacked relentlessly, hitting mid-range jumpers over Kevin Love, finishing strong at the rim, and locking in on defense. Every time I scored, I made sure to stare LeBron down.
The Cavs fought back, with Kyrie weaving through our defense and LeBron bullying his way into the paint, but we controlled the pace. In the fourth quarter, with us up by seven, I came off a screen, pulled up from deep, and drilled a three over J.R. Smith.
"Y'all might wanna start making vacation plans."
Final score, Magic 112, Cavs 101.
I dropped 41 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists.
-Game 2 – May 22, 2015
LeBron wasn't about to let us cruise through.
He came out in Game 2 on a mission, attacking from every angle. Mid-post fades, fast break dunks, pull-up threes—he was everywhere.
I fought back, going bucket for bucket with him, but down the stretch, the Cavs executed better. Kyrie hit a clutch step-back three, and LeBron sealed the game with an and-one dunk over two of our defenders.
Final score, Cavs 109, Magic 102.
-Game 3 – May 24, 2015
We went to Cleveland looking to take back control, but Kyrie had other plans.
The man was on fire. He torched our defense, pulling out his whole bag—spin moves, step-backs, acrobatic finishes. I did my part, but our defense struggled to contain him.
Midway through the fourth, he hit a deep three, turned to our bench.
I answered with a dunk over Tristan Thompson, but in the final minutes, Kyrie hit another dagger three to put the game away.
Final score, Cavs 115, Magic 108.
-Game 4 – May 26, 2015
Down 2-1 in Cleveland, I played angry. From the jump, I attacked—spinning off defenders, bullying my way to the rim, and hitting tough mid-range shots.
After hitting a fadeaway over Love I said "Too small, man. Too small"
LeBron tried to respond, but we threw double-teams at him, forcing the Cavs into tough shots.
Fourth quarter, we were up six with two minutes left. I got the ball in isolation against LeBron. One dribble, hesitation, pull-up three—bucket.
Final score, Magic 105, Cavs 97.
I finished with 38 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists.
-Game 5 –May 28, 2015
Back in Orlando.
I dominated in the post, forcing double-teams that led to easy buckets for my teammates. The highlight of the night?
A poster over Kevin Love. As he hit the floor, I glared at him and muttered:
"Go back to Minnesota you bring nothing"
LeBron kept trying to rally his team, but I could see it in his eyes—he knew we were better.
Final score: Magic 120, Cavs 99.
I put up 44 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists.
-Game 6 – May 30, 2015
Back in Cleveland, the Cavs fought like their season depended on it—because it did.
LeBron played all 48 minutes, giving everything he had. Kyrie was still dangerous, but we had figured out how to slow him down.
It was a war. Every possession felt like a Finals game. In the fourth quarter, up by four, I hit a turnaround jumper over LeBron. Next play, I stripped Love, ran the break, and threw down a East Bay.
Looking at the crowd."Y'all quiet now? keep the same energy."
In the final seconds, up by seven, I walked up to LeBron, patted him on the back, and said
"It's all mine now."
Final score, Magic 111, Cavs 104.
Series over. We won 4-2.
I finished the closeout game with 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 assists.
-LeBron Post-Game Press Conference
"Much respect to Franklin. That kid is special. He wanted it more, and they deserved it. Simple as that." He stood up and did not answer the other questions.
-NBA on TNT
Shaq: "This kid Franklin? He's built different. Back-to-back MVPs, DPOY, and now he's back to the Finals? C'mon, man."
Charles Barkley: "Franklin Lincoln is taking over the league. Some will criticize him because they lost last year in the final but he was only 19, now he is only 20... I think some people just don't realize what he's doing."
-Franklin's pov
After the Eastern Conference Finals series against Cleveland, we finally had a few days back home in Orlando to regroup. The mood in the locker room was a mix of excitement and exhaustion—we had fought hard to get here, but we knew the job wasn't finished.
Coach gathered us in the practice facility. "We are not here to leave with nothing this year."
We went through intense film sessions, breaking down Golden State's game. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. They played fast, they shot the lights out, and they never stopped moving.
During practice, I could feel a shift in our mindset. The chemistry that had been shaky at times during the season was starting to come back. I pulled Tobias aside after one session.
"I know that last season I blamed our defeat on you, but it's still a team sport, it's also my fault, maybe I'm the first to blame." I don't really think so but for the team I have to tell him that.
"No Frank you're right it's all of us' fault." He tells me.
I just shook my head.
After a few days of preparation, we boarded the team plane for San Francisco. Everyone knew what was at stake.
As the Bay Area came into view, I looked out the window. This time no way we lose, that's clear it's inconceivable.
Curry, it's my story that I have to write even if it will change yours and that of others, I really don't care I'm just going to be the best.