NBA: Road to glory

-April 16, 2014

Orlando Magic (64-17) vs. Indiana Pacers (56-25) – Amway Center

The regular season had been a grind, but we made it through as the best team in the NBA. Injuries tested us, rough stretches pushed us, but now, with one game left, it was about setting the tone for the playoffs.

And what better way to do that than against the Indiana Pacers, the first team we played.

-Pregame Locker 

Coach stood in front of us, arms crossed. "Last one. Play hard, play smart, and let's finish this season the way we started it."

We nodded. 

-First Quarter

From the tip, the intensity was playoff level.

I got the ball on the first possession, faced up against David West, hit him with a jab step, then pulled up for a smooth jumper—bucket.

Next trip down, I came off a screen, caught the pass in stride, and went up strong. And-One. Crowd went wild.

Indiana was physical, but we were matching them. Every time they bumped, I bumped back.

-Second Quarter

PG was heating up. Hit a tough three in my face, then smirked as we ran back down.

I just nodded. "We'll see."

Next play, I caught the ball in the post, spun baseline, and hammered it down over Hibbert.

PG tried getting downhill on the next possession—I read it, swiped the ball, and started the break. Kicked it out to Afflalo for three—splash.

-Third Quarter

Indiana came out aggressive, trying to cut into our lead. George and Stephenson were attacking.

But I wasn't backing down.

I hit a three over West. Next play, caught a lob from Jameer —two-handed.

Then, with a minute left, PG tried isolating me at the top of the key. He hit me with a hesitation, drove inside—I pinned his layup against the glass.

Bench went wild.

-Fourth Quarter

With a solid lead, we just had to control the tempo. Indiana tried doubling me, but I found my teammates—kick-out three, pocket pass to the cutter, easy buckets.

Final minute, I backed down West, faked middle, spun baseline, and finished with a reverse layup.

Buzzer sounded. Game over.

Final Score: Magic 108 - Pacers 94

Final Stat Line: 29 Points, 12 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 2 Blocks

As I walked off the court, PG came up to me, nodding. "See you in the playoffs."

I smirked. "Yeah. See you there."

-Postgame

Coach clapped his hands as we all sat down. "Hell of a season. But this ain't the end goal. Playoffs start now."

I sat back in my chair. 82 games done. Best record in the league.

Now? It was time for the real test.

First-round matchup? Charlotte.

They weren't the flashiest team. Al Jefferson in the paint. Kemba Walker running the offense. They played gritty basketball, and we knew they'd come in with nothing to lose.

-Film Room

We sat in the darkened room as clips rolled on the screen.

Coach pointed at Al Jefferson bullying defenders in the post. 

Then, footage switched to Kemba Walker breaking down defenses with his quickness.

"Kemba's a killer in the clutch," Jameer Nelson said. "Can't let him get comfortable."

Coach nodded. "Exactly. We trap him."

We watched their defensive sets next. They liked to play physical, collapse in the paint, and force tough outside shots.

Coach turned to me. "Franklin, they're gonna throw doubles at you. You need to be decisive. Attack when you can, but find the open man when they collapse."

I nodded. "I got it."

The next few days were intense. Everything was about precision, execution, and playoff intensity.

Defensive drills – Fighting through screens, rotating on help defense, communicating every switch.

Offensive sets – Reading double teams, perfecting our spacing, getting used to playoff physicality.

During a scrimmage, I caught the ball on the wing, faced up, and hit a fadeaway over two defenders.

Coach blew his whistle. "That's what we need. Make them pay for doubling."

Later, we practiced late-game situations. Up by three, down by two, tie game scenarios.

Coach made it clear—there are no easy moments in the playoffs.

The playoffs had officially begun, and we weren't here to play around. 

-Game 1 

From the jump, I came out aggressive, hitting my first four shots—a mix of post fades, drives. Defensively, we collapsed on Al Jefferson, forcing him into tough shots.

By halftime, we were up 58-42.

Charlotte tried to fight back in the third, but every time they made a push, we answered. I finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 assists, setting the tone for the series.

After the game, reporters asked if I felt pressure in my first playoff game.

I just smirked. "Pressure? Nah. This is basketball. I've been built for this." 'Literally.'

-Game 2 

This one was a battle. Charlotte adjusted, doubling me on the catch and playing more physical. Kemba Walker went off, dropping 27 and keeping them in the game.

We struggled early, but in the fourth quarter, it was go time.

Tied at 98-98 with two minutes left, I backed down my defender, spun baseline, and finished strong at the rim. Next possession, I hit Jameer for a clutch three.

Charlotte kept fighting, but with 20 seconds left, I hit two free throws to ice it.

Final stat line: 27 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks.

-Game 3

Back in Charlotte, the crowd was hyped, but we killed their energy fast.

I started the game hitting five straight jumpers, and by the second quarter, we had a 20-point lead.

Coach let the bench play most of the fourth because the game was over. I dropped 31 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists in just three quarters.

After the game, reporters asked Kemba about our performance.

"We're not done yet" he just says.

-Game 4

Charlotte wasn't going down without a fight. Kemba and Big Al went off, keeping the game close until the final minutes.

With two minutes left, we were up 97-95. I caught the ball in the post, saw the double coming, and kicked it out to Afflalo for a dagger three.

Next play, I blocked a layup attempt and ran the floor for a transition dunk. That was the final blow.

Final stat line: 27 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks.

4-0. Sweep.

The playoffs were still in full swing, but May 8, 2014, the league announced its regular-season awards, and I was about to make history.

The first award wasn't a surprise. From the moment I stepped onto an NBA court, people expected me to win Rookie of the Year.

My stats were undeniable:

26.9 PPG

10.9 RPG

4.6 APG

1.7 BPG

1.2 SPG

64-18 team record (Best in the NBA)

At the podium, I took a breath before speaking. "Man, I wanna thank my teammates, my coaches, my family. This season's been a dream, but trust me, I'm not done."

The next announcement sent shockwaves through the league.

"The Defensive Player Of the Year and the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player is…

Franklin Lincoln"

I stood up, as the crowd erupted.

At 19 years old, I had officially broken Derrick Rose's record (22 years old) as the youngest MVP in NBA history, but also the youngest Defensive Player of the Year in NBA history.

The press conference was surreal. Holding both the DPOY, MVP and Rookie of the Year trophies, I spoke honestly.

"I came into this league with one goal—to win. I'm grateful. This is for Orlando, for the fans, for my family. But I ain't satisfied. A ring is the real goal."

Of course, I was named, First Rookie Team, NBA First-Team All-NBA, NBA First-Team All-Defensive. My media blew up again I'm starting to get used to it.