Basketball is truly a global sport. It may have been invented in America in 1891 by James Naismith, but today’s NBA features players from countries as diverse as China, Spain, Russia, Argentina, and Zaire. So, as with NHL 09, EA Sports has chosen to go global in promoting its annual basketball title: this year, no North American player will grace the cover of NBA Live.

Instead, San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker will be the cover athlete for NBA Live 09 in most of the world. The native of France, who happens to be married to Eva Longoria, has been the game’s coverboy in that country for five years running, and now he’s making the jump to the large time. Parker is a two-time All-Star and was the MVP of last year’s NBA Finals.

But residents of the UK, Spain, and Italy will get to see their compatriots on their respective localized versions of NBA Live 09. The Chicago Bulls’ small forward, Luol Deng — who might or may not be equipped with a loldong — will be the man on the box in the UK; Deng was born in the Sudan, but was raised in London. In addition to being named to the 2004-05 NBA All-Rookie First Team, Deng was given last year’s NBA Sportsmanship Award, as voted by the players.

Italian basketball fans are surely familiar with Toronto Raptors power forward Andrea Bargnani, who was the top pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. The Italian version of NBA Live 09 will feature him on its cover. Lastly, en Espa