The international big men also support each other.

"I've known Jokic since I was in high school," Capela said. "Joel for a long time. Rudy since I was back in high school as well. We've known each other and support each other."

Capela hasn't played this preseason while having treatment for a sore left Achilles. He participated in live drills for the second time on Tuesday and expects to be ready for the season.

Some US centers and power forwards still rank among the best in the league. McMillan included Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers with Jokic and Embiid in his list of top big men before adding that Miami's Bam Adebayo "has turned into an unbelievable player".

Indiana's Domantas Sabonis is a Lithuanian-American who was born in Portland. Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns is a Dominican-American who was born in New Jersey.

There's no denying the impact of international big men.

"You see the skill level, the feel of the game," McMillan said. "Those guys come into our league with all of that."

Agencies via Xinhua