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Mat Issa

Sports Editor

About

Mat Issa is based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Yes, he spells his name with one "t." He's obsessed with NBA history, so much so that he's dedicated nearly two years of research to his two mini-series', "Blazing the Trail" and "The Quest for the Best." Right now, Mat goes to law school and writes about the NBA for The Analyst, Forbes, and of course, Basketball Insiders. His work has also been featured in ESPN, SB Nation, FanSided, Basketball News, ONE37pm, and Raptors Republic. Also, he's a lifelong Spartans fan. Go Green!

Articles by Mat Issa (132)

Miami Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra Contract, Salary, Net Worth, Coaching Record, and Wife

User Note: This page is updated as of Monday, June 24, 2024. If someone asked you to list off the people that come to mind when you hear the term ‘Heat Culture,’ you likely wouldn’t get too far down the list without naming Erik Spoelstra. For the last 16 years, Erik Spoelstra has led the […]

Mat Issa  •  24 Jun 2024
Chicago Bulls Head Coach Billy Donovan Contract, Salary, Net Worth, Coaching Record, and Wife

User Note: This page is updated as of Monday, June 24, 2024. Few professional coaches are in a less envious position than Chicago Bulls leading man Billy Donovan. As currently constructed, his team is neither good enough to compete nor young enough to be considered rebuilding. Oh, and they also could be trading all their best […]

Mat Issa  •  24 Jun 2024
Boston Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla Contract, Salary, Net Worth, Coaching Record, and Wife

User Note: This page is updated as of Monday, June 24, 2024. Boston Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla didn’t have a traditional start to his head coaching career – he was thrust under center after Ime Udoka’s suspension and later firing – but he did do well enough in year one to keep the job […]

Mat Issa  •  24 Jun 2024
5 “Moneyball” free agents to look for during the 2024 offseason

With the Boston Celtics now the 2023-24 NBA Champions, our focus has now shifted to the 2024 offseason, and a big part of the offseason is free agency. Every season, teams aspire to acquire the best possible players for the best possible price. In sports, the goal is all about gaining a competitive advantage of […]

Mat Issa  •  21 Jun 2024
NBA Study: How many times has Jrue Holiday been snubbed from an All-Star team?

Key Highlights:  Holiday is currently the favorite to win the 2024 NBA Finals MVP award (according to NBA.com). Holiday has long been a player who has been underestimated by mainstream media and fans. Based on his statistical profile, one could argue that Holiday should have three more All-Star nominations than he currently does now. With […]

Mat Issa  •  12 Jun 2024
Why the Dallas Mavericks still have a puncher’s chance of winning the NBA Finals

Key Highlights: The main reason the Mavericks are down 0-2 isn’t their defense. Rather, it’s their offense. The Mavericks showed two little glimmers of hope in the fourth quarter that they could lean on in Game 3 in order to turn the series around. If what we saw at the end of Game 2 is […]

Mat Issa  •  11 Jun 2024
Is Jayson Tatum being “carried” to an NBA title?

Key Highlights: The people who think Tatum is getting “carried” are focusing on the wrong parts of the box score. Tatum’s size and strength are a big reason why the Celtics’ defensive scheme against the Mavericks is working. Tatum may be going through a shooting slump, but he has shown some serious growth as a […]

Mat Issa  •  07 Jun 2024
Can Andrew Nembhard be the next Jalen Brunson?

Key Highlights: In the last two games, Nembhard averaged 28 PPG and 9.5 APG on 68% true shooting and 27.1% usage. For the entire playoffs (17 games), he averaged 14.9 PPG and 5.5 APG on 65.4% true shooting and 17.7% usage. Nembhard combines a refined drive game with great passing, midrange touch, and perimeter defense. […]

Mat Issa  •  29 May 2024
NBA Study: What leads to winning in the playoffs?

Key Highlights: 3-point percentage has been the main variable that determines who wins and loses in the 2024 NBA Playoffs Offensive rebounding, bench scoring, turnovers, and points in the paint all also seem to have an impact on winning and losing Free throw attempts may not have as much of a role on the final […]

Mat Issa  •  17 May 2024
Combine sit down with 2024 NBA Draft prospect Cam Christie

Cam Christie was one of the 78 players invited to attend the 2024 NBA Draft Combine. But more than that, many draft experts view Christie as a potential first round pick. In his lone season at Minnesota, the brother of NBA wing Max Christie shot 39.1% from three on 5.4 attempts per game. At 6-6, NBA teams are hoping that the […]

Mat Issa  •  14 May 2024