Which offensive-minded veteran would you pick?

They are scoring at virtually the same rate (about 28 points per game), trying desperately to move their teams into what seems to be a wide-open Eastern Conference playoff race. Boston's Paul Pierce, an All-Star for the last five seasons, is much better-known to the public than Atlanta's Joe Johnson. But Johnson, who may have found a permanent home with the Hawks, should almost certainly be an All-Star this season, and is a favorite of NBA aficionados who can keep their Johnsons straight.

Pierce is considered the superior scorer, a bloodless competitor who always wants the ball at crunch time. Johnson, who often directs the offense and can be a shut-down defender, is considered the more versatile player. But Pierce gets a respectable 3.5 assists per game (close to Johnson's 4.1) and is underrated as a rebounder with 9.5, better than Johnson's 5.9. Pierce is also the more accurate free-throw shooter (.750 to Johnson's .684), which is a good thing since he gets to the line as much as anyone in the league.

"Joe can do as many things well as any player in the league," said one NBA assistant coach. "I know the Phoenix Suns wish they still had him. Over the last few years, Pierce has become a little bit undervalued because he hasn't been able to take the Celtics anywhere, but he is still an elite player. I'd still give the slight edge to Pierce."

I'm also giving the nod to PIERCE. But let's check at season's end and see which star got his team more W's.

We received approximately 250 responses to last week's Choosing Sides between the Bobcats' Emeka Okafor and the Magic's Dwight Howard. Here's a sampling of what you had to say:

Eugenio Furio of Baltimore: "Emeka is leading the league in blocks, is among the top 3 rebounders and is scoring more than 15 points per game for an unwatchable team. If he played for a good team like the Magic, his numbers would be even more impressive."

Ian Oberschlake of Appleton, Wis.: "I think most people would say you have to take Okafor if he is healthy. However, he hasn't been very healthy in his short NBA career so I think overall you take Howard. Howard is also younger, which is a plus, and has a frame that I have never seen before."

Andrew of New York City: "Emeka Okafor is a solid big man, and looks very good early on this year. However, let's keep in mind that this season is about 10 games old and Okafor has shown to be as injury-prone as my 95-year-old grandfather, while Howard has missed only one game in his early career. Being an Orlando fan, I must admit I was disappointed when they went with the unknown high-schooler over a terrific player with the pedigree and accolades of Okafor. Two years later, however, and I thank the NBA gods that Orlando made the choice they did."

Joe Mikulski of Naples, Fla.: "This is not even a fair question or comparison. There would not be a single coach in the NBA that would not rather have Howard over Okafor. I am not even saying that Okafor is a bad player, but Howard has so much more of an upside because of his age (20) and his work ethic."

Phillip Chang of Phoenix: "Howard is young and a little raw, but he hasn't shown any signs of being a headcase and can work towards building a more technically sound game. And with his athleticism, every 20+ board game is icing on the cake. He can abuse defenders with his speed and strength, and once he learns to handle extended low-post play he'll be a real force. Don't get me wrong, Okafor is a monster, and defensively he's much better -- but if you pit them against each other, Howard will get the dunk more often than Okafor gets the swat."

Jordan of New York City: "Both are going to be very special players in the NBA for years to come. although I think Howard has a chance to be a Hall of Famer.Okafor just doesn't have the kind of athletcism Howard owns. Okafor might be better for your team right now but I'd take Howard. Imagine his improvement in five years."

Sam Choi of Fairfax, Va.: "It depends on the situation of the team, and ironically I think both the Magic and the Bobcats got the wrong player in the draft, as the Magic were in a situation in which they might've been able to keep T-Mac with Okafor as a rebounding and shot-blocking presence instead of rebuilding through Dwight. For the Bobcats, Dwight fits their young and rebuilding team and gets more involved in the offense, allowing him to develop some footwork. However, I would take Dwight because of his freakish athleticism and potential; he'll also help the business side of the game by selling tickets and merchandise."

Adam Ziegler of Neptune Beach, Fla.: "Dwight Dwight Dwight ... obviously, but were the Magic in error by letting Clifford Ray get away so early in Dwight's career? Wasn't his role that of the Jedi master instructing the young man in the fighting art of the elite NBA big? There have been few players in the history of the league with Dwight's vast potential -- the rare combination of tremendous size, agility, athleticism, over-flowing talent, and apparently work ethic. I suppose in time his instincts, intuition and cleverness (smarts) will be revealed as he matures into a man (minus the "-child" suffix). Purely out of experience alone, EO currently is a more complete baller - that's maturity, the mind catches up to the body and then takes over. But there will become a time the divide blurs and there will no longer be this discussion."

Robert Doiron: "You can't go wrong either way. The only thing that bothers me about the comparison is that most observers/insiders look too much at Howard's potential, and generally assume that Okafor really doensn't have much more potential to fulfill. I think that's a bit of an oversight, because BOTH can and will improve. ... As of right now, I'd rather have Okafor, and I believe that this Charlotte team will be making some noise after the All-Star game this year."

Albeon Jackson of Bluffton, S.C.: "Depending on what type of team I had would make the decision easier. Emeka Okafor would be a great asset on a team that's built to win "right now", ala Detroit Pistons. Okafor reminds me of Buck Williams, the rugged blue collared power forward who defends and rebounds. Dwight Howard would be the type of player I'd prefer if I were building a franchise, surrounding him with players that compliment his game. Howard's early season highlight spins and slams are reminiscent of a young Shaquille O'Neal."

Mikey V of Winter Park, Fla.: "Howard is so much better than Okafor. He will end up being the modern-day Bill Russell."

Natedogg: "Dwight Howard looks like Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice, when the magic powder is sprinkled on his head and it then shrinks to the size of an eight-ball. An unstoppable bulldozer with a ballerinas balance and grace, Howard IS the young ninja to dethrown Shaq as the dominant sensi of the NBA -- if his head can catch up in size with the rest of his body and abilities. Emeka, well. He's already over the hill and will have to develop his roll as a Robert Parish-like feeder to Charolette's Bird-like Morrison."