Alright, it’s a bit early to be talking about fantasy basketball seeing as opening tip is three months away.  But there is hoops going on and the players repin’ their countries will be giving it their all to capture gold.  We will be looking at players and highlighting those whose international experience will lend some insight into what their fantasy value and production will be for the 2012 NBA season.

First up, we go with the ‘Dream Team’.  Now everyone knows LeBron James and Kevin Durant will continue to get theirs and be fantasy studs... Nothing is going to change that.  Chris Paul will continue to be mayor of ‘lob city’ and "The Beard" will be bringing it in Oklahoma City, but who has gained fantasy value and who has lost value?  Here are two players that have seen their fantasy value affected by their play thus far.

First up we have Anthony Davis. This kid has played well at times and at other times looked completely lost.  He’s been called the Christian Laettner of this ‘Dream Team’ but that isn't doing this kid justice.  Davis has shown that he can play and he brings skills that are going to make matchups in the regular season really taxing on opposing coaches. The New Orleans Hornets are going to have to start this kid right away and he is going to be given every chance to succeed and equal chance to fail early on in his career.  Davis will be the future of this Hornets franchise and the confidence and playing time he is getting in London makes him a fantasy player with real value.

Next up we have the maligned Kevin Love, who has been called out by his coaches and the media for lackluster play and his underperforming.   Love had a terrific season with the 'Wolves 26 ppg and 13 boards per made him a double-double machine and a tremendous fantasy value. If you jumped on Love early and rode him on your roster, particularly in daily leagues, then there was great value.  Unfortunately, I don’t see history repeating itself here.  Kevin Love’s confidence seems to be shaken and I don’t see the same player that suited up in Minnesota last year.  Love seems to be deferring too much to superior athletes and is likely finding it hard to get touches and be assertive around such pure scorers . Granted, Kevin Love can pour them in against Tunisia, but against fellow NBA’ers it will be a different story.  Look for Kevin Love’s numbers to be down this year from last and same goes for his fantasy value.

Check in next time when we look at two more players and their value to your fantasy roster.