Could another British invasion be underway?
Just like the Brits took over that most American of pastimes, rock and roll, in the 1960s, there looks to be another invasion in the offing.
The newest invaders may not have the impact of the Beatles or the Rolling Stones, but they are making waves just the same.
The NBA has become increasingly international in recent years, and the Brits are finally catching up with the rest of the world.
Luol Deng, the 19-year-old first-year player for the Chicago Bulls, has needed only a handful of games to make a major impact.
Deng, a young man of Sudanese descent who went from London to Duke University to the Bulls, is averaging more than 20 points and seven rebounds per game in the early season.
The higher the level of competition has been, the better Deng has played.
As his one and only season at Duke progressed, Deng went from a role player to one of the nation's best small forwards.
That tendency for constant improvement has carried over to the professional level.
"Luol has been great. He had a great summer and a great camp," said Chicago coach Scott Skiles.
"He appears to get better every day and we're real high on him. We think he has a really, really nice upside."
 Tynes persuaded the Chiefs to release NFL legend Andersen |
Players like John Amaechi and Michael Olowokandi have laid the foundation for a strong British presence in the NBA, and Luol Deng is certainly ready to build on it. The National Football League does not have nearly the international flavour of the NBA, but there has always been a place for foreign nationals on special team units throughout the league.
From former Miami Dolphin Garo Yepremian of Cyprus to South Africa's Gary Anderson, the NFL's all-time leading scorer, kickers from all points of the globe are nothing new.
Add Lawrence Tynes' name to the list of international kickers in the NFL.
Tynes, a native of Greenock, Scotland, made the Kansas City Chiefs' roster this season after two years in the Canadian Football League and one as the kicker for the Scottish Claymores.
It was not easy for Tynes. He replaced legendary kicker Morten Andersen, the 23-year veteran who has played in more NFL games than any other player in history, as the Chiefs kicker.
Tynes has not caused a sensation along the lines of Deng, but he has been steady in the first half of the season for one of the NFL's highest scoring teams.
ARTEST SUFFERS FOR HIS ART
 Don't give up the day job just yet, Ron |
One man who did cause a sensation stateside this week was Ron Artest of the NBA's Indiana Pacers. The reason? Just a week into the NBA season, Artest asked the team for a month's holiday to heal his "aching body" and recover from his busy schedule, which included producing and promoting his upcoming rap album.
"I've been doing a little bit too much music, just needed the rest," said Artest. "After the album comes out I'm going to make sure all of my time is focused on winning a championship."
Outrage from the Pacers, the supporters and the media caused Artest to quickly back off his statement.
Rather than a month off, Artest received a two-game suspension and another in a long line of controversies.
"My body has been aching, I was going to take some time off and I said it the wrong way," Artest later explained.
"I kind of surprised the team by wanting to take some games off, just to get back together, maybe stay home for a little bit, rest a little bit and come back."
Artest dragged his weary bones on to court and marked his 25th birthday on 13 November with 22 points as the Pacers beat the Knicks 103-97. 
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