Country vs Fantasy Allegiance

It would have been wonderful to have had a few of my players selected to compete in the WCOB. That is mainly because that would have indicated that the talent on my squad is reaching All-Star level. Unfortunately we are not there yet, but fingers crossed for 2008.

Watching the competition I couldn't help but wonder how fantasy owners felt watching their players play for various countries. I pretty much live in a pro basketball wasteland where there are no real team allegences. I am free to root for my players no matter who they play against. Many people criticize fantasy sports saying it ruins sports fans by making them root against their home teams to advance their fantasy teams. I now follow my individual players closer than I follow any team and really considering them "my guys" no matter who they play for.

I wonder if fantasy owners' allegiance to their players extends beyond the fantasy season. If the US had beaten Greece would Pablo have been happy to see Paul or Bosh go down early in the 1st with an ankle sprain in a game against Spain? I know there would have been some unhappy people if Lebron, Wade, Carmelo, etc. had gotten hurt even if it meant a gold for the US. A World Championship would be great, but is fantasy success now more meaningful? I know I was guilty of calcing fpg of players when I heard the stat lines from some of these WCOB games. It can be a very fine line.

That being said...any one who has a player from the "Redeem Team" who would like to avoid the injury risk and patriotic conflict associated with international play I have several players to offer in exchange who will definitely not be competing in 2008....