Apr. 18 -- Josh: I don’t know that there was a bigger gasp in the sports world last week, than the one that came when LeBron landed awkwardly and sprained his ankle in a meaningless game against the Pistons. Mike Tirico had just gotten through saying that Cavs’ coach Mike Brown probably wanted to sit The Chosen One, and of course, Bill Walton had to give the argument that you can’t sit a player with Bron’s competitive spirit. I’ll bet the entire city of Cleveland, from C. C. Sabathia to Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs, is wishing he’d have been sitting right about now. Even though he has been walking on his own power, you don’t like to see your franchise walking with a Non-Pimp Limp. Speaking of Non-Pimp, what’s up, Matthew?

Matthew: I’m willing to side with anyone who disagrees with Bill Walton. You can’t sit a guy with competitive spirit? Uh…okay. I love ex-players who say stuff like this, because what they mean is, any guy who is competitive wants to be out there. But what you truly want in a marquee player is someone who understands their value is the highest when they can, you know, actually PLAY. Football goes through this every year in Week 17, and it’s a difficult line to toe. You can’t sit your players in every game that someone deems meaningless (otherwise the Warriors would never be able to field a starting five), but the playoffs, especially for a city like Cleveland, mean everything.

Josh: Agreed, the postseason is The season. Especially when you've not dipped your toes in the pool in years. Well, for teams like your Warriors, who can’t seem to crack the playoff code, there’s always next year. This week we decided to go ahead and look at next year. We’ll drop some names of guys who may/may not be on the marquee, but you could end up paying dearly if you forget about them come draft time.

Matthew: Brother Marquis, Marquis is your Brother…okay, that’s going old skool rap, and it’s literally about all I can contribute in that arena. In terms of marquis players, I hear this guy who goes by the nickname of ‘Mamba’ in Los Angeles is pretty good. OK, seriously, as a staff member of TMR, I have to pimp Chris Paul, especially because it causes the entire city of Atlanta to go into a full body cringe. I know there are sports fans in Atlanta, but overall? That city needs some sports re-education. As for other guys who are looking nice for next year, Raja Bell looks to have finally made the leap and I think he’ll improve on his 14.8 points next year as he irons out some of his streakiness. If he can stay healthy and find time to share the ball with Jason Terry, Devin Harris looks interesting down in Dallas and certainly has the cast to rack up some assists with. I like Luke Ridnour, but the Earl Watson situation needs to be ironed out or neither of them will put up stats you can depend upon. Finally, although he’s possibly more of a forward than a guard - the Warriors don’t much know either -- I like Mickael Pietrus’s chances to expand his game next year. He’s only 24 and averages just under ten points in just over 22 minutes a game. If he can find playing time, he can put up the stats.

Josh: CP3 is an obvious choice of course. He probably will get marquee love. He’s been given more love than nearly anyone from the entire TMR staff. Don’t forget about Mr. Raymond Felton. He’s great from outside and can give you double digit points, seven assists, and two steals with ease. Jameer Nelson is set for a huge year. This will be the first time he comes in knowing he’ll be the starter from day one. He’s averaged 17.9 points and 5.8 assists and shot 48 percent from three over the last three months. Bonzi Wells has put up around 13 points, eight rebounds, two thefts, and two assists down the stretch for the Kings. Marcus Banks has been pretty good with the T-Wolves. He’s started the last 23 games and can give you double-digit points, six assists, three boards, and a steal. Don’t forget about Damon Stoudamire. Injury limited him to 27 games this season with Memphis. I’m not saying to rely on him as a starter, but we know he’s a capable backup option. Luther Head (11 points, 4 assists, 3.4 boards, 42 percent on threes in 37 minutes per in April) could be a steal if T-Mac’s not healthy. Keep an eye on the point situation for the Atlanta Hawks. That position could be a Sleeping Fantasy Giant.

Josh: Allow me to take time to pimp a guy that I was scoping long before I joined AYFR. If you've been reading from the get, you know him as "CHOLLY". Otherwise, you know him as Charlie Villanueva. Over the last two months he averaged 13 points and eight boards. He also surprised folks by hitting 33 percent from behind the arc this year. He'll only get better as he gels with Chris Bosh and adds a little more muscle to his frame. Chris Wilcox, 6' 10", 235 pounds, and born the day after I was... My birthday is 9/2/82 by the way... Chris, how bout hookin me up with some birthday cash? In April he's averaged 17 points, 12 boards, and shot over 60 percent from the floor. Over the same span, Dwight Howard has put up 17, 13, and 56 percent. Wilcox has hit 73 percent of his free throws to Howard's 60. You know Dwight will be better in the boards department than Chris, but don't forget about Chris Wilcox. Carlos Boozer is back with a vengeance, putting up 20, 10, and three dimes over the last ten games. Shelden Williams comes out after playing four years in Boozer's role at Duke. He's better defensively, his strength is NBA-ready, and he can have an impact without needing the ball. A couple guys back Next Year from injury, and Possibly With a Vengeance, Amare and Nene.

Matthew: You know I love Josh Smith. He was my pick in the Tao of Roto, and I couldn’t ignore him here. (Josh Smith refuses to be ignored!) As noted above, I’m also a Mickael Pietrus fan, even if spelling his name is a continual challenge. There weren’t a lot of highlights down in Charlotte, but I am hopeful Sean May can continue to improve. How about the Bulls Andres Nocioni? The kid has pulled down 10 or more rebounds in each game since March 28, and averages about 13 pts and 6 rebounds for the season. He looks like someone who could jump up a few pegs next season, and he certainly looks like he can provide rebounding help. And no one is ignoring the 17 points per game he’s put up this year, but David West could get even better with age. At this point in his career, according to basketball-reference.com, he’s comparable to Otis Thorpe at the same point in his career, and that’s pretty nice. (We’ll just ignore the fact that he’s also comparable to Samaki Walker at that point in his career…) With Chris Paul (I know, I know! I’m not supposed to pimp him!) dishing him the rock for the next, oh, ten years, this looks like a marriage made in heaven.

Matthew: I think his injury and lackluster season could make Emeka Okafor a sleeper in next year's fantasy draft. He’s about at the right age to make the leap, and he could be had on the cheap given this year's performance. What about this year's first overall pick, Andrew Bogut? Well, I don’t think he was the best player in the draft, but I do think he builds on these stats and gets closer to a 15 point, 8 rebound average. Chris Kaman came into his own as one of the better young centers in the game this season. He basically averaged a double-double (11.8 points, 9.6 rebounds) and went from being someone folks thought might be effective at center, to being one of the best fantasy centers in the league. Given that there are always guys in your fantasy league who refuse to believe in guys like Kaman, he’ll come cheaper than other options, and possibly out produce them.

Josh: Mehmet Okur had a career year. Also, his rebounds took only a slight drop, and his points stayed the same after Boozer's return. Eighteen and nine with an occasional three pointer. Expect similar numbers next year. Just don't rely on him for blocks. Yao-za! Yao had a career year. His first averaging 20 and 10. This may be the off-season they realize this is his team and T-Mac is the second option. Not vice-versa, as it’s been so far. He's worthy of a big pick. Rumors keep swirling about the Bulls acquiring a big time post scorer in the off-season. If they do, keep your eye on Tyson Chandler. Robert Swift and Kendrick Perkins are worth eyeing in later rounds. If Chris Wilcox/Dwight Howard/Chris Bosh are eligible at center, they're guys you want.

Matthew: Josh, I must say this column has been fun for me, and got my NBA juices flowing. I appreciate you carrying me on your back all season, especially when I sat on the beaches of Mexico, drinking tequila while you sat back and rapped with T.O. Now I’m off to work on my fantasy baseball team, and of course it’s never too early to start prepping for next year, both football and basketball. Some might call this a sickness, but much like the NBA, I think it’s FAAAAAAN-tastic! Until we meet again, word to your mother and props to your pops. Peace.

Josh: If this is a sickness, then like Disturbed, I'm down with it. You all know hoop thoughts are on my mind 24-7. I said my "thank you's" a while back, but I left out Matthew, Shawn Peters, and the folks who've helped us break the press along the way. I can't wait to see who goes where in the June Draft. Watching that gets me pumped! From the jubilation of high picks, to the emotional disappointment of a Rashard Lewis… I love it. I Love this game! Until next year folks.... you've got six fouls, get your money's worth. I hope we've been For Real!

Matthew Greber and Josh Heisner are fantasy experts for NBA.com. Their column Are You For Real? runs every Tuesday as part of the NBA.com Premium Scouting Report. Contact them at greebs@TalentedMrRoto.com and JHeisner@TalentedMrRoto.com.

The views expressed by the TalentedMrRoto.com represent only the views of the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA team.