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Pat Heery

Pat Heery began his sports writing career in 2016 for The Has Been Sports Blog. He practices real estate law during the day and runs pick & rolls at night. Follow him on Twitter: @pheery12

Why Arkansas' men's basketball team is better than advertised

The 2024-25 men's college basketball season is here. Dan Hurley has UConn gunning for a three-peat, Kansas and Alabama return very experienced rosters, and everyone's heard about the freshman talent at Duke and Rutgers. But let's not forget about coach John Calipari's squad down at Arkansas

Fool's gold or not? Let's assess Celtics, Lakers and Nuggets

We are a little more than a week into the NBA season. Every team has played four or five games, so, of course, the hot-take artists on TV and internet have these fun topics to talk about.

Betting the NBA's awards futures: Where do Wemby, Ja Morant stand?

A search for value among the odds for various NBA awards in 2024-25.

Why star Ohio State, Alabama freshmen would have a case for the 2025 NFL Draft

A pair of star freshman receivers have taken the college football world by storm this season. And they look ready for the NFL. Right now.

What betting industry's over/under win totals tell us about NBA season

The NBA season is almost upon us and that can only mean that it's time to analyze over/under win totals.

Let's do the math: Here's how Lakers will be different under JJ Redick

If you've followed Redick's career as a player, commentator and podcaster, he has left more than a few breadcrumbs about his basketball philosophy. 

Why Rockets are poised to be a disruptor

Most NBA rotations are eight or nine deep. The Rockets are 13 deep.

NBA fan's guide to watching college basketball this season

Watch the following three teams, and you'll have a good understanding of just how special this draft class could be.

Four Team USA players who could make MVP leap in NBA this season

One of the coolest parts of Team USA basketball is the best American players spend months together, observe one another's preparation and craft and push

After Olympic showings by LeBron James and Steph Curry, Lakers and Warriors are out of excuses

The two superstars aren't getting what they deserve from their respective franchises.

Projecting Team USA men's basketball roster for 2028 Games

With seven of Team USA's current 12 players over 30, one can expect a youth movement in the U.S. program as it prepares its invite list for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Which newly developed Team USA friendships will impact NBA future?

Since the 2008 Olympics, Team USA has served as a breeding ground for friendships that later changed the NBA landscape.

Bold predictions for the rest of the 2023-24 NBA season

We're about a quarter of the way through the NBA season, so it's time for some bold predictions. Remember folks - these are bold  predictions. 

2024 NBA first-round mock draft

The first edition of the 2024 mock draft will feature the first round, with every pick being compared to a current or recent NBA player. As the season progresses, there will be updates and added analysis based on how the prospects fare the rest of the season.

The most intriguing player on every NBA team

The NBA is as talented as it has ever been. Every team in the NBA has a number of talented players (well, besides the Wizards), and there's plenty of intrigue in following almost every team. These are our picks for most intriguing player on every team in the Association.

NBA players who could be first time All-Stars in 2023-24

The NBA is loaded with talent, so cracking the All-Star ranks for the first time will be an uphill battle for any player on this list. 

Faces in new places for the 2023-24 NBA season

Don't look now, but the NBA season is right around the corner. Before you know it, opening night will be upon us. So, to get you ready for the season, here's a list 50 familiar NBA faces in new places.

The biggest question for every NBA team as training camp begins

With training camp on the horizon, here is each NBA team's biggest question.

Every NBA team's under-the-radar player to watch

Every year, under-the-radar players like Aaron Gordon and Bruce Brown help swing the NBA title race by making big plays in big moments. Though their stats may not always reflect their importance to their team, these under-the-radar players are adored by their superstar teammates, coaches, and fans.

The best pure shooter on every NBA team

Shooting is paramount to success in today's NBA. 

Grading the offseason for each NBA team

Believe it or not, the NBA's offseason is winding down, and teams will soon report to training camp. That means it's time to assess each team's offseason. 

The highest-paid players for the 2023-24 NBA season

Here's a list of the highest-paid players in the NBA for the 2023-24 season and an outlook for the upcoming season based on total cash salary for the 2023-24 season only, not the average salary per season over the length of the contract.

The richest contracts in NBA history

In lieu of Jaylen Brown recently inking a five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension with the Boston Celtics, let's take a look at the richest contracts in NBA history — you'll soon realize that almost all of them are active contracts — and assess whether they were or are fair-market deals.

2023 NBA first-round mock draft

In this third mock draft, we've updated the picks based on some recent developments and assessed each draftee's role for the franchise that selects him.