International influx raising NBA's game

Embiid couldn't escape the spotlight while averaging 28.5 points last season. He added 2.8 assists per game and wants to be known for his play on the other end of the court.

"I have aspirations to be the defensive player of the year," Embiid said at the 76ers preseason media day. "I think I have to be more active and it's hard to do because offensively I'm also asked to do a lot. I don't mind. I love it. I love carrying a team on both ends. I think that's what probably makes me special, because I do it on both ends."

Capela led the league with 14.3 rebounds while making almost 60 percent of his shots from the field and adding two blocks per game. Capela's rebounding and defense were big reasons the Hawks beat Embiid's 76ers to reach the Eastern Conference finals.

The wave of international big men also includes such players as Phoenix's Deandre Ayton from the Bahamas, Chicago's two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic from Switzerland and Dallas center and power forward Kristaps Porzingis, who hails from Latvia.

Capela said international big men "embrace our role".

Capela said of his role: "Make sure that I do my work. Make sure I finish whenever I get the ball inside. ... You rebound, you create extra possessions. You erase mistakes with blocks. I take pride in that."