Mat Issa

Mat Issa

Joined: Feb 24, 2022

Mat Issa is the Site Expert for A Royal Pain. Mat is based in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He went to Michigan State University for seven years, earning his Bachelor's Degree and Juris Doctor. Now, he covers the NBA at large for Forbes, The Analyst, Basketball Insiders, and, of course, FanSided. His work has also been featured on ESPN, The Sporting News, and SB Nation, among other places. Yes, he spells his name with one "t."

Feb 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) reacts after scoring a

Tari Eason could be the elite role player the Rockets need to compete

Jun 12, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) reaches for the ball against Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the second half in game five of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jack Dempsey/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets proved that defense still wins championships

Eastern Michigan forward Emoni Bates dribbles against Northern Illinois during the first half at the George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023.

A path to redemption: How Emoni Bates can help the Cleveland Cavaliers

DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 04: Christian Braun #0 of the Denver Nuggets drives to the basket during the first half against the Miami Heat in Game Two of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena on June 04, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark J. Terrill - Pool/Getty Images)

How rookie Christian Braun is making a name for himself in the NBA Finals

Jun 1, 2023; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball while defended by Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) during the second quarter in game one of the 2023 NBA Finals at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The unsolvable riddle: Can anyone actually stop Nikola Jokic?

May 19, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin (16) reacts after a play during the first half against the Boston Celtics in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

The Future of the NBA: Why every playoff team needs a Caleb Martin

May 22, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) shoots a three point basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the third quarter in game four of the Western Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Aaron Gordon showed us how a non-shooter can stay on the floor

May 16, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets in the third quarter during game one of the Western Conference Finals for the 2023 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The minor tweak that almost helped the Lakers steal Game 1 from the Nuggets

May 2, 2023; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles past Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) in the fourth quarter during game one of the 2023 NBA playoffs at the Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

How Jarred Vanderbilt went from playoff poser to Curry Chaser

Mar 29, 2023; New York, New York, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

How can the New York Knicks stop Playoff Jimmy Butler?

Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Cavaliers vs. Knicks has been a battle of bad spacing

Mar 21, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey (23) warms up on the court prior to the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Jaden Ivey has become the perfect partner for Cade Cunningham

John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Is Jordan Poole ready to be a number one option?

Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Are the Brooklyn Nets reestablishing themselves as Finals contenders?

Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Is it time for the Toronto Raptors to try a rebuild?

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 09: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on December 09, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

How Anthony Davis recovered his All-NBA form for the Lakers