Picking a European Best XI of Players Currently Sitting on the Bench

Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)

When the Spain captain was dropped by Jose Mourinho, most assumed that it was an exercise in political power. That Carlo Ancelotti has stuck with Diego Lopez in his stead perhaps suggests that there was sporting merit to Mourinho’s move. Casillas will hope to go to the World Cup buoyed by triumph in the Champions League, in which he does play.

 

Martin Caceres (Juventus)

The 26-year-old Uruguayan is a very complete footballer for a defender, and he is comfortable as a wing-back as well as in the centre. Unfortunately for him, he is competing with one of the world’s best right wing-backs in Stephan Lichtsteiner, so he must feed on scraps of action.

 

Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa (Newcastle United)

It’s rare for a signing from Ligue 1 to not hit the mark at St James’ Park, but that has been the case for the former Montpellier captain. Yanga-Mbiwa has disappointed but it’s not entirely his fault. He’s never had a decent run in his best position of centre-back, being used all too often at full-back and even in defensive midfield. It’s Newcastle’s loss.

 
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Are Golden State Warriors Bench Woes Finally Fixed?

Bench scoring is extremely overrated. Moreover, the cries that the Golden State Warriors have the worst bench in the league due to their league-low 23.0 bench points per game are misguided.
The Warriors bench has struggled mightily this season, but this is not best exemplified by the number of points they score.
The primary reason that the team is last in the NBA in bench production is that their reserves play the second-fewest minutes in the league. This has as much to do with the strength of the starters as it does with the weaknesses of the bench.
That, and the worst bench-shooting percentage in the league (38.6 percent).
But there is still more to a bench than scoring and even scoring efficiency. There's rebounding, defense and ability to take care of the basketball. Just like a starting unit, the second string should be evaluated in all phases of the game.
The Warriors bench leads the entire league in rebounds per minute, block the third-most shots per minute and are in the middle of the pack in turnovers per minute.
So while the lack of scoring is troubling, the perception that it's the NBA's worst second unit is a little extreme.
That being said, the bench is bad. Only Draymond Green and the injured Jermaine O'Neal post positive plus-minus ratings, and two key reserves—Harrison Barnes and Marreese Speights—are posting upsetting differentials.

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