With a few of these I think players in areas of weakness should be preference ahead of the best player on a particular team in terms of who makes the biggest difference. For example, we know Liverpool can score goals but can’t defend, so a defensive player can improve them to a greater extent such as Matip’s level of play or Lovern suddenly becoming good. But for most of them I can agree, in particular United’s wingers need to score goals to make the biggest change in their fortunes.

Yeah Kyrie’s reasoning is justifiable, but I whoever gets him is not going to win anything if he wants to be the sole offensive threat on the court. Stay away from my team please Kyrie.

Great read Lachlan, the Bucks would definitely be a fun destination for almost any all star free agent. Leaving the open scenario in the East would be hard for LeBron to do, however, the dots are lining up for him to play in Los Angeles for the Lakers next season. It’s the perfect retirement home and location to set-up his post-career future as well as prove himself to the world yet again in getting to the finals in one of the most stacked conferences in NBA history. His close family were against the return to Cleveland and will push him to go out West. I’m set on him playing with Lonzo and PG in L.A., provided the Lakers can make a few nice moves during the season to get some ready made superstars in exchange for young talent. How about Randle, Ingram and a 2021 first rounder to the Knicks for Melo?

Personally I would have Hummels, Boateng, Silva, Chiellini, Godin and Ramos ahead of him. I’ll break down why:

Godin: A much better aerial defender than Bonucci. He averages 3.1 aerials won per game compared to Bonucci who sits considerably lower at around 1.3 per game. While Bonucci may be more potent with the ball at his feet, in a centre back I don’t look for that in particular and prefer the leadership of Godin, who is the commander of one of the best defensive teams in the world. Comparatively, Bonucci was led by Chiellini at Juventus. Godin also averages 4.4 clearances per game compared to Bonucci’s 3.3 as well as more interceptions and tackles. Plus, according to Squaka, Godin averages 0 defensive errors per 90 minutes while Bonucci averages 0.1. Both elite, but Godin is better.

Hummels: Both are ball-playing centre backs but Hummels is slightly ahead of him. Firstly, Hummels has a slightly higher passing accuracy than Bonucci, especially over short distance. For example, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1APimNQ2Ec . Hummels would be able to make this delightful assist more often than Bonucci according to the stats. Hummels is also a vocal leader who captained Dortmund for many years. Former BvB coach Ottmar Hitzfeld was quoted as saying “He’s a leader, a role model…and he can lead other players.” Bonucci acted poorly with Allegri, arguing and unsettling the team. Hummels averages 1.52 tackles won per 90 minutes compared to Bonucci’s 0.7. Also, Hummels averages 3.3 aerial duels won per game compared to the poor number of only 1.3 from Bonucci, giving the crucial air superiority to the German.

Boateng: In terms of a purely physical skill set, Boateng is acres ahead of Bonucci. The German is strong enough to hold off opponents and give himself time to make a pass or clearance. Thus, Boateng averages 0 defensive errors per 90 minutes according to Squaka, compared to Bonucci’s previously mentioned average of 0.10. Despite an injury-plauged year, Boateng also averaged a slightly higher passing accuracy compared to Bonucci. These passes also lead to more direct chances created as Boateng averaged double the amount of chances created per 90 minutes than Bonucci, with 0.68 compared to 0.34. Therefore, Boateng is also more efficient offensively than Bonucci, as well as being more potent defensively.

Ramos: Sergio is a leader, which I haven’t seen Bonucci ever be. As well as this, he scores the big goals. Champions League Finals seem like a casual kick for him. Bonucci’s play is covered in the mystery of an offensive passing genius who picks out long balls like they are nothing. His Euro 2016 assist for example, leads us to believe he is the best attacking CB in the world. However, Sergio Ramos has an attack score of 11.94 compared to Bonucci’s tiny 4.40. Bonucci’s rating is also the lowest out of all the centre backs I am comparing to him. Ramos also has a higher passing accuracy (89.6% compared to 87.2%) and smashes Bonucci in the air, with 2.7 aerials won per game compared to 1.3. Additionally, Ramos has more interceptions, tackles won and successful take-ons than Bonucci.

Chiellini: This guy is the true soul of the Juventus team as their captain alongside Buffon. More interceptions, tackles and clearances than Bonucci as well as dominating in the air. He is a much better pure defender compared to his national teammate in Bonucci. As well as this, he still hits a nice passing percentage at 87%, only 0.2% less than Bonucci who is perceived as a much better distributor.

Thiago Silva: Silva is the best centre back in the world in my opinion. While the other centre backs I have compared have a Squaka total score in the 20’s, Silva sits at a staggering 49.51. Silva is a fantastic ball playing centre back. He passes at an accuracy of 93.9% according to whoscored.com, with 0 errors leading to goals and an attacking score of almost double Bonucci. As a pure defender, Silva trumps Bonucci in total duel success (69% to 45.5%), clearances (4.15 to 3.48), blocks (0.45 to 0.89), fouls commited (0.52 to 0.93), aerial duels won (75% to 58%) tackles won (1.07 to 0.72) and defense rating (19.38 to 7.94). Plus, Silva is the leader of the biggest footballing nation in the world.

Overall, Bonucci ranked last in Whoscored.com rating out of 10 at around 6.93. The argument could be made that many more centre backs are also better than him, such as David Luiz and Gerard Pique. Statistics were taken per 90 minutes. If you were wondering the answer is yes…I do have way too much time on my hands.

Maybe change you Youtube search from ‘pogba goal’ to something like ‘man united v arsenal full match replay’ to get a better sense of his worth. Despite only having something like 5 goals and 3 assists, he was one of the best players in the Premier League last season and I’m not a deluded United fanboy…only a deluded Tottenham one 🙂

Why does everyone care so much about the money when it’s not even theirs? Plus, Bonucci isn’t the best centre back in the world and he is older compared to Kyle Walker who isn’t the average player you make him sound like. He is a perfect fit for Manchester City and the fee payed for him isn’t ridiculous by any means. If Premier League teams didn’t take these spending risks it may not be the best competition in the world. Guess what, the league which spends the most money is also widely known to be the best, whereas a league such as Ligue 1 that only has AS Monaco and PSG paying hefty prices is probably only the 5th best.

Hightower’s sack in last years Superbowl won the Patriots the game and he is probably the real MVP in many ways. He is so good.

Please no FFA. We don’t want a third Sydney team. Wollongong would be much better option.

If Jeff Green ever drop 20 points a game I will personally take one of his 19237123 charging fouls from his out of control, straight-line drives. Every now and then, one will end in a dunk and this will push him to keep wildly slashing and turning the ball over until the next one in 4 weeks. Just watch a full Jeff Green game and not his highlight reels and you will understand by old man Richard Jefferson will play way more than him.

Losing Amir Johnson shouldn’t be viewed as a negative at all. I’m not even sure his old ankles can get him a foot off the ground anymore. Plus, Aaron Baynes plus Zizic can come in an replace him easily.

We shouldn’t take Summer League too seriously for all the reasons you mentioned of excellent performers not becoming superstars. However, Ball is a generational talent and I love his style of play to bits, especially in the high-powered offense of UCLA last season. Although Fultz is better scorer and can still make the right passing play, be it less flashy, Ball already has an aura around him and I would be extremely surprised if he failed to live up to the hype in what looks to be a perfect situation in L.A.

If Rogic went uninjured last season, there is no doubt in my mind that a move to a bigger league would be offered. It’s always great to watch a player like him that makes you excited if he even has a glimmer of space on the edge of the area so he can unleash that left foot.

Ahh that makes more sense..kinda. Since when is a two-time MVP not suited to being a number one player? That’s just ridiculous.

The Warriors are the best team I have ever seen. Such incredibly unselfish play on offense coupled with an amazing defensive unit. I think KD will win the MVP next year as well, barring injury.

The fall of the Nets should also be attributed to the ownership of the franchise. Their Russian owner came in with the ‘win now’ mindset, prompting the front office to swing for the fences. However, after a couple of decent seasons his mentality totally changed and wanted to get out of the heavy luxury tax that burdened the team as you mentioned. This shift in mentality totally screwed the team as we have seen and is demonstrative of the importance of good ownership. But Sean Marks is doing a great job of using that cap room to take on risks instead of waiting to get his draft picks back. Sadly for the Celtics, they won’t be the worst team in the league next season.

Despite the even season, I feel the Top 8 will probably stay the way it is now until finals.

Well firstly, Curry is not a two guard. He controls the tempo of a game so well that it would be ludicrous to put him off the ball, despite his shooting prowess. I understand your depth argument and in basically any other sport I would agree with you. However, the NBA is a star-based league, and one excellent player is better than 3 average ones. I don’t agree that Houston loses defence. Paul is a top 3 perimeter defender in my eyes. The NBA is position-less now. The more play makers on a team the better.

Yeah I still don’t think anyone can ever beat the Warriors. I don’t think I’ve every seen a superteam mesh so well together like they have. Still, Houston might make it a more competitive playoffs.

Thanks mate, it’s nice to see numbers like this in an article rather than Herald Sun writers giving their tips based on one bloke “wanting it more”. Those generalizations and incalculable statements really annoy me personally so thanks for putting work into this!

Completely agree with everything said in this article. Started to think this was the case after his dropped catch at the SCG a few year back where he blamed the Spider-cam thingy, despite the camera never touching the ball. When the whips are cracking, I feel he is quick to spread the blame away from himself. Plus those one slip fields in test matches constantly annoy me. Still, he is probably the best batsman in the world and is most likely the best captain we’ve got. Hopefully he develops into Michael Clarke level captaincy.

Although Melbourne have been in great form, in these close games I always seem to back the team that has the most at stake. A loss to the Swans could make a finals finish very difficult as you pointed out. So based on no statistical analysis at all…I pick the Swans. Also, where did you get these stats from may I ask? They add a lot to this nice piece.

“Dennis Smith Jr is a rare prospect who can do everything at a reasonable level.”
Except play defence and take care of the ball. I mean the guy simply doesn’t try on the defensive end! Although he may put up crazy numbers and throw down amazing dunks with his 40-inch vertical, it’s very rare for a guy with a low work ethic to succeed at the highest level in the NBA. The Steve Francis comparison is one of the only comparisons that are actually somewhat relatable. Although Francis was a cool player to watch it seems, he played on bad teams and had great stats. Smith Jr. seems to me like a point guard on a 30 win team. We do see bad defenders in the point guard spot in the NBA, but I don’t think any could be accused of not trying like Smith Jr. does. Curry, Thomas, Lillard, Wall, Paul…there are so many amazing point guards today that although Smith might slam down a mean dunk on one end, back the other way he’ll lose sight of his man on a backdoor cut from the weak side and give up those points again. But apart from that…yeah I like him too and his upside. At pick 9, you take him everyday.

Although I think Lukaku deserves that centre-forward role, Kane is an extremely close second given he played around 900 minutes (10 matches) less than Lukaku, still managing to bag 20 goals and 5 assists. Kane also recorded higher levels of passing accuracy with around 72% of passes reaching their target compared to Lukaku’s 65.3%. Kane also makes a higher number of key passes per 90 minutes despite averaging 6.5 passes less than Lukaku each game. Overall, the efficiency numbers point toward Kane being the better selection, however given his somewhat lack of durability and his penalty-taking duties which Lukaku doesn’t have, I agree with your selection to a lesser degree.

I can’t agree with you at all on that Nash argument. He was the reason I started watching basketball. Top 10 point guard of all time in my eyes.

Yeah I agree with your sentiment there. Arsenal’s situation with Wenger is still quite funny to me. Yes he has taken them a long, long way and still gets results but I don’t think they scare anyone now and I’m always confident when Spurs play them. Still, I don’t think its his fault and its more the players. I don’t really see a leader in their team although I think Xhaka will bring that when he controls himself and stops lunging into challenges. Giroud is also not the problem I feel. It’s pretty hard to put a finger on to be honest.