Who is he?
Shaedon Sharpe, the Portland Trail Blazers’ 4th-year guard, has quickly gone from a promising rookie to one of the most exciting young offensive weapons in the NBA.
Last Season (2024–25):
- Averaged 18.5 points per game despite limited offensive schemes around him.
- Showed flashes of elite scoring ability, especially with his explosive dunks, pull-up jumpers, and clutch shot-making.
Why he’s considered a breakout star:
- Analysts believe Sharpe has the potential to become Portland’s offensive cornerstone in the post-Damian Lillard era.
- If he improves his 3-point shooting percentage and maintains defensive consistency, he could push himself into All-Star conversation this season.
- Sharpe’s athleticism makes him one of the few guards in the league capable of regularly creating highlight-reel plays.
Comparisons:
Many experts compare his trajectory to that of Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)—an explosive scorer who became an All-Star after his third season.

➡️ The Blazers are banking on Sharpe becoming their franchise face, and 2025–26 could be the year he fully breaks through.

2️⃣ NBC Returns to NBA Coverage with Star-Studded Promo

Major Media Rights Deal:
The NBA’s $76 billion broadcast and streaming rights deal will bring NBC back as a primary broadcaster after more than two decades.
Opening Night Promo (aired September 1):
- A 45-second commercial ran during NFL’s Sunday Night Football.
- Styled like old-school team introductions, it featured a lineup of NBA legends:
  - Grant Hill, Vince Carter, Reggie Miller, Tracy McGrady, Carmelo Anthony, Jamal Crawford.
- Narration was done by Mike Tirico, who closed with: “That’s my team.”
Opening Night Doubleheader (October 21, 2025):
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets
- Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- These games were chosen to highlight both young stars (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Green) and veteran superstars (Steph Curry, LeBron James).
Why it matters:
- NBC was last associated with the NBA during the iconic 1990s “NBA on NBC” era, remembered for its theme song and coverage of Michael Jordan’s Bulls.
- Fans are highly nostalgic, and this return is being hyped as a new golden era of NBA broadcasting.

➡️ With NBC back, the NBA hopes to recapture a massive mainstream audience, mixing nostalgia with modern global reach.

3️⃣ Carmelo Anthony Inducted into the Hall of Fame

The Ceremony:
On September 2, 2025, Carmelo Anthony was officially inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
His Speech:
- Melo delivered a heartfelt address, giving special credit to his mother:
  “You are the reason I’m standing here.”
- His words moved his mother to tears, and the moment became one of the most emotional highlights of the night.
His Legacy:
- One of the NBA’s most prolific scorers, with over 28,000 career points.
- A 10-time NBA All-Star and 3-time Olympic gold medalist (2008, 2012, 2016).
- Known for his time with the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks, where he was the face of the franchise.
- Although he never won an NBA championship, his scoring artistry, leadership, and impact on New York basketball cemented his legacy.

➡️ Carmelo’s induction was not just about basketball numbers—it was about perseverance, dedication, and the deep family bonds behind his success.

The Announcement:
On September 1, 2025, Jeremy Lin officially announced his retirement at the age of 37.
Why he’s remembered:
- Lin became a global sensation in 2012 during his time with the New York Knicks, sparking the “Linsanity” era.
- As an undrafted guard from Harvard, he defied all odds to become a starting point guard and international star.
- His style of play—fearless drives, clutch shots, and humble personality—made him beloved worldwide.
Career Highlights:
- Played for multiple NBA teams: Knicks, Rockets, Lakers, Hornets, Nets, and Raptors.
- Won an NBA Championship in 2019 with the Toronto Raptors, making him the first Asian-American NBA champion.
- Later played overseas in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) before making his final stops in the G-League.
His Impact:
- Beyond stats, Lin became a cultural icon, inspiring millions of Asian and Asian-American athletes.
- His story of resilience and overcoming doubt remains one of the NBA’s most powerful narratives.

➡️ Jeremy Lin retires as more than a player—he retires as a symbol of representation and hope for underdogs everywhere.

The Deal:
The NBA recently struck a record $77 billion media rights and streaming partnership, reshaping how fans will watch games in the future.
Barkley’s Criticism:
- On The Bill Simmons Podcast, Barkley bluntly said: “They don’t give sht.”*
- His concern: the league is prioritizing profit and corporate partnerships over fan accessibility.
- He warned that hardcore fans might be priced out or restricted, especially if games are split across multiple streaming platforms.
Why it matters:
- Streaming deals are expected to bring the NBA unmatched revenue.
- But, fans are increasingly frustrated with the need to juggle subscriptions just to watch their favorite teams.
- Barkley, known for speaking his mind, gave voice to those frustrations, sparking heated debate among media analysts and fans alike.

➡️ This controversy reflects a larger issue in sports broadcasting—balancing financial growth with fan loyalty and accessibility.

News Highlight	Detailed Takeaway
Shaedon Sharpe Breakout	Projected All-Star trajectory for Blazers guard; could be Portland’s next franchise face
NBC NBA Coverage Returns	$76B deal; nostalgic legends promo; season tips off Oct 21 with big doubleheader
Carmelo Anthony HOF	Emotional speech honoring his mother; cements legacy as one of the game’s great scorers
Jeremy Lin Retires	Ends career as cultural icon; 2012 Linsanity, 2019 NBA Champion, symbol of representation
Charles Barkley Criticism	Blunt attack on $77B streaming deal; raises concerns about fan access vs. league profits