1. Sixth Manu

Night after night, Manu Ginobili comes off the bench and provides more than just a spark. Leading his team with a 20.1 scoring average, Ginobili is the early leader for the Sixth Man Award. In two of the Spurs' three matchups this week, Ginobili had a game-high 21 points in the Spurs' Sunday night 113-88 win over the Bucks and 25 points in San Antonio's 105-92 loss to the Mavs. Critics can't even point to the Argentinean's impressive points per game average as he is second on the team in assists with a 4.9 average. So how does Ginobili feel about his non-starting role? He told San Antonio Express-News, "At first, I wanted to stay a starter, but now, I like it."

2. All-Star Ballot

It's that time of year again. On Wednesday in New Orleans, the official host city of the 2008 All-Star Game, the NBA released the official 2008 All-Star ballot, which features 120 of the NBA's finest athletes. You can vote for 24 international players in 20 different languages. (For you English speakers: throw in a degree of difficulty, brush up on one of the languagues you learned in high school and vote in that one.). So, find out which international players made the cut and vote daily.

3. Yi vs Yao... The Results

The Finals are not until June, but last Friday Yi Jianlian and Yao Ming caused a sports media frenzy as the two Chinese national players faced off in Houston as the Rockets hosted the Bucks. With the world watching Yi and Yao brought their "A" game. The Bucks' rookie compiled an impressive 19 points and nine rebounds but failed to top the six-year pro. Yao registered a double-double with the game-high in points and rebounds (28 points, 10 rebounds), leading the Rockets to 104-88 victory. After the game Yao spoke to Yahoo! Sports about the young import, "I hate to say this," Yao said, "but he may be better than me."

4. Al Horford's First Double-Double

It's official. The Dominican Republic native, Al Horford has registered his first double-double of his career. Averaging 9.1 points per game and 10.4 rebounds per game, the third pick of the 2007 Draft came close to accomplishing the feat in several matchups. But on Wednesday night, he finally did it, compiling 13 points and 13 rebounds, contributing to the Hawks 117-109 win over the Bobcats. Also, the game marked the first time this season Horford came off the bench with teammate Zaza Pachulia in the starting lineup.
Rookie Rankings

5. Azubuike /Milicic

Less than a year ago Golden State's Kelenna Azubuike represented Fort Worth, Texas as a member of the Fort Worth Flyers, an NBA Development League team. Now on the big stage, the London-born Azubuike is a starter for the Warriors. Averaging 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and shooting 49 percent from the field this undrafted former D-Leaguer is proving he is here to stay.

No basketball expert, psychic or coach would expect a player to have their season-high in points when matched up against Houston's star center, Yao Ming. But when the Memphis Grizzlies played the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, Darko Milicic proved what many thought to be impossible, possible. Milicic, who usually focuses more on his defensive efforts, became a potent force on both ends of the court. He scored 20 points for his offensive contribution and challenged Yao (22 points) while on defense. After Memphis' 106-99 win, Pau Gasol told the AP, "We played really well as a combo, and (Milicic) played a real good game offensively and defensively on Yao. I thought his effort was really good."

6. MVP vs MVP

Thursday's TNT early game hosted two of last years' MVPs, Dirk Nowitzki (regular season) and Tony Parker (Finals). So which MVP proved to be most valuable when the Spurs took on the Mavs in Dallas? The award goes to…. Germany's very own Nowitzki. While Dallas controlled the game, their big man and former MVP poured in 17 points, five dimes and eight rebounds. For San Antonio, the French import had a rough night. Parker shot a 1-11 from field and chipped in seven points in 33 minutes. Dallas led nearly all the way, as the Mavs topped the defending champs 105-92.

7. Bargnani vs Belinelli: Sunday

It will be the battle of the B's on Sunday in Toronto. Andrea Bargnani and Marco Belinelli will take the floor as the Golden State Warriors match up against the Toronto Raptors. Back in Italy both players are members of the Italian National Team but their status in the NBA is quite different. Drafted first overall in 2006, Bargnani is a sixth man for the 4-4 Raptors. While the 18th pick of the 2007 draft, Belinelli is a reserve for the Warriors. Sunday's game will mark the first time these Italian imports face off in the NBA.

8. Kirilenko's Assist

Watch Andrei Kirilenko's fancy feed to Carlos Boozer in Utah's 118-94 victory over the Grizzlies. In the matchup, Kirilenko registered a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. He also had nine dishes on the night.

Video: Kirilenko's assist to Boozer

9.Ilgauskas vs Kleiza Picture

They may be opponents on the court but they appeared to be friends off the court. Lithuania natives Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Linas Kleiza chat before Denver defeated Cleveland at the Pepsi Center 122-100 on Monday night.

Photo: Ilgauskas and Kleiza

10. NBA TV's China Games Recap

If you weren't able to attend the NBA China Games, check out NBA TV's recap of the events.

Video: NBA TV's China Games Recap