1.International Players

As we all know (thanks to the Global Top 10 presented by FedEx, of course), the NBA and the game of basketball has taken the world by storm. This season, 74 international players from 31 different countries will suit up for NBA teams. As of opening night, the defending champion San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors each boast a roster with six global players. Compare this season's overall numbers to those of 1997-98 when the NBA had 29 international player from 21 countries. And, as you know, international players swept the MVP awards: Dirk Nowitzki, Germany; Finals MVP, Tony Parker, France.

2. Yi Jianlian Starting

It's been quite a career arc for Chinese phenom Yi Jianlian. He's gone from possibly not playing for the Bucks (reports varied wildly immediately after the Draft), who drafted him sixth overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, to starting for them when Milwaukee's 2007-08 season tipped off in Orlando on Oct. 31. Yi had nine points in his NBA debut to go with three rebounds, two blocked shots and a steal. Alas, Yi also had six fouls in his NBA debut. No one said it was going to be easy. Welcome to the league, "Xin Xiu". (Loosely translated: Rookie)

3. Dirk Nowitzki

After a bitter first-round defeat to the Golden State Warriors, the Dallas Mavericks and the league's MVP, Dirk Nowitzki had a lot of soul searching to do this offseason. They also had a bitter taste in their mouths. How does one get rid of that? With a sweet victory on the opening night of the season in Cleveland on national television. Nowitzki, while not lighting up the scoreboard at an MVP pace, contributed 15 points, six assists and eight rebounds as the Mavericks clobbered the defending Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers 92-74.

4. Andrea Bargnani

Last season's No. 1 overall draft pick rode to the rescue on opening night of the 2007-08 season for the Raptors. Toronto had opened a 22-point lead in their home opener against the 76ers, but Philadelphia whittled the lead to 90-89 with 4:47 left in the game. Bargnani then hit a cold-blodded three (and was fouled!). He canned the free throw to complete the four-point play, giving the Raptors a lead they would never relinquish. Bargnani finished with 20 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots.

5. Parker and Ginobili

On Tuesday, in a grand ceremony before San Antonio's season opener, Commissioner David Stern handed a championship ring to each member of the Spurs players and staff who helped the franchise earn a fourth title in 2007. After the ceremony, the Spurs got down to business and picked up where they left off. With new wife Eva Longoria watching from courtside, Finals MVP Tony Parker tallied 19 points while Argentina's favorite son, Manu Ginobili scored 17 off the bench as the Spurs beat the Blazers, 106-97. On Wednesday, Ginobili scored a game-high 30 as the Spurs eked out a 104-101 win in Memphis.

6. Nash and Barbosa

Last year, Steve Nash led the Suns in minutes played. On Thursday, the two-time MVP went back to work. Nash registered a double-double in Phoenix's season opener against the Sonics at Key Arena. Nash nearly put together a triple-double with 18 points, 12 assists and seven rebounds. He hit 3-of-6 shots from beyond the arc including a three-pointer with 43 seconds left in the fourth quarter to put the Suns up 106-97. Nash's backup and last season's Sixth Man Award winner, Brazil's Leandro Barbosa, added nine points and five dimes.

7. Yao Ming

Only two NBA experts predicted Yao Ming will win MVP this season: ESPN.com's John Hollinger and our own Rob Peterson. Hollinger backed his prediction with stats. Peterson had a hunch (and pointed to Hollinger's stats to play that hunch). If anything, we may be on to something. Yao had 25 points and game-high 12 rebounds in Houston's 95-93 win over the Lakers in L.A. Two nights later, Yao had 11 points, seven boards and five blocks to complement T-Mac's 47 as the Rockets handled the Jazz 106-95.

8. Hedo Turkoglu

Starting at power forward, Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu played a crucial role in Orlando's 102-83 win over the Bucks. In 34 minutes, Turkoglu hit 8-of-15 from the field, 3-of-4 three-point land and made all of five of his shots from the foul line for an impressive 24 points. After the game, Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak told the Associated Press that Turkoglu is skilled and smart, "He's (Turkoglu) an offensive-minded player. He's crafty - he's been around the block a time or two.''

9.Luol Deng

While Kobe Bryant to Chicago trade rumors filled the airwaves and the internet, Bulls foward Luol Deng remained focused on the task at hand as the Bulls opened up the season against the Nets in New Jersey on Wednesday night. He contributed 22 points and 11 rebounds, but Deng's double-double performance was not enough to as the Nets topped the Bulls 112-103 in OT.

10. Luis Scola

Selected by San Antonio in the second round (56th overall) of the 2002 NBA Draft, Scola made his NBA debut on Tuesday ... with the Rockets. Houston acquired the All Euroleague First Team member in a trade this offseason. NBA.com's own John Hareas picked the 27-year-old Scola as his top Rookie of the Year candidate. In the Rockets' first two games this season, both wins, Scola has averaged 3.5 points in 18.5 minutes per game. He failed to score in his NBA debut, but rebounded -- literally and figuratively -- with seven points and nine boards in the Rockets' win over Utah on Thursday.