Which tenacious power forward has the advantage?

Andres Nocioni and Udonis Haslem, power forwards for the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat, respectively, have different styles. Nocioni is a typically versatile Argentine, able to play out on the floor, shoot threes, keep the ball moving, etc., while Haslem is a close-to-the-basket hard-hat. But much of the grit for their respective teams comes from these power forwards, both tough-minded, I'm-not-backing-down-from-anyone type of players.

Shortly after he helped Argentina win the gold medal in the 2004 Olympics, Nocioni burst upon the NBA and made an immediate impact with his gung-ho style. Haslem, by contrast, made an impression by degrees, often getting lost (literally) in the shadow of Shaquille O'Neal and the brilliance of Dwyane Wade. Teams routinely played off him to double-team O'Neal, and Haslem was frustrated when he couldn't convert.

Nocioni is more gifted offensively. He is averaging 15.8 points per game (through Monday) and is a solid 42.5 percent shooter on threes, which isn't even a part of Haslem's game. But Haslem has become reliable from short distance and is making 51.5 percent of his shots to get his 13.4 points a game.

Nocioni will pound the boards, but Haslem is an elite rebounder with a 9.7 average and, despite his physical style, keeps his personal fouls under four a game. And to date, he has not thrown another mouth guard at a referee as he did in last season's playoffs when Joey Crawford gave him the thumb.

"Just about anyone in the league would've taken Nocioni two years ago," said one assistant coach who desired anonymity. "But Haslem has really come on. He's a solid pro who always guards his man and sometimes guards Shaq's, too. He has worked at his game and he is no small reason that the Heat won the championship last season."

I concur. I like both of them, but I'd take HASLEM.

Here's a sampling of your responses to last week's Choosing Sides between the SuperSonics' Ray Allen and the Bucks' Michael Redd:

Don of Orlando: "I would like to direct your attention to Sonics vs. Kings in the playoffs a few years back. Or the sideways dunk Allen planted on Tracy McGrady and the Magic years back. Redd is up-and-coming but Allen is a proven commodity. I'll take the Chevy."

James Vibar of Las Pinas, Philippines: "Both players are big-time scorers. But we're talking about clutch, and one thing comes to mind -- playoffs! Allen has proven that he can deliver. Since I can't remember Redd making a big basket to win a playoff game, I can't say that he is the better option. I'll go with Allen."

J.J. of De Pere, Wis.: "Allen has played in and hit shots in big games (conference finals) while Redd has not. Redd has the fastest trigger I have ever seen and has better stats shooting the ball. With all that said, if my team were down by two with four seconds left, and the ball at half court, I would want Redd putting up that final shot."

Adam H. of Howards Grove, Wis.: "Being a Bucks fan, I've seen both of these players a lot. This is one tough question. I think Redd is very 'Allen-like' due to the fact that Redd was a backup to Allen for a couple years. Down the stretch, I would rather have Redd. Allen can be very soft at times and he shies away from contact so he doesn't drive much. That makes him a hair easier to defend than Redd, who can do it all offensively. Allen does have the prettiest jump shot in the NBA right now, maybe ever."

Tito Perez of Boca Raton, Fla.: "Redd is a great shooter and the scary thing is he is getting better every year, but in crunch time I'd take Allen."

Adam of Phoenix: "I would take Redd. I don't think we should penalize his lack of 'clutch shot' moments because he has been in the spotlight for less time than Allen."

Shaun Edward of Toronto: "Give the ball to Allen. Redd is the student, Allen is the teacher."

Josh of Philadelphia: "This is like the old Reggie Miller debate. People would always point to a guy who had a better shooting percentage than Reggie when asking who you'd want to take the last shot. In the end, though, everyone KNEW they'd want Reggie. Allen is the new Reggie. He is more of a killer than Redd and he has done it longer and more often. With the pressure on, I'd take Allen."

Jim of Connecticut: "I'll take Allen. Redd is becoming the player Allen already is."

Fulvio of Udine, Italy: "Redd can shoot the ball quickly and extremely well but can attack the rim as well. If you have the last shot of the game, you want to put it in the hands of someone whose decision is not always predictable."

Paul of Hayward, Calif.: "Redd's on the rise; Allen has passed his peak."

John Finn of Seattle: "As much as I can't stand watching the Sonics sometimes, I know if the game is close at all in the fourth quarter and Allen has the ball in his hands, we have a shot."

Jobin of Houston: "I would have the ball in Redd's hands considering what he has done so far this season compared to Allen. I also think that Redd is one of the most underrated players in the league today."

Nick of Milwaukee: "I would take Allen if I needed a three-pointer and Redd if I needed a two-pointer because Allen is a better shooter than Redd but Redd is better at getting into the lane."