Which version is best for the Lakers' bottom line?

Selfless Kobe Bryant is conciliatory toward his Los Angeles Lakers teammates. He graciously sacrifices shots and lets others step up to try to be the hero down the stretch. Call him Kobe Lite.

Selfish Kobe looks at lesser mortals, including those who wear the purple and gold, much as he might look at a bottle of curdled milk. He demands the ball and insists on taking most of the shots at any time and all the shots in the clutch. Call him Kobe Heavy. Or call him Kobe of the Last Two Games when he has taken an average of 33 shots and scored 65 and 50 points, respectively, in wins over Portland and Minnesota.

This is not a taste test -- the question is: Which Kobe makes L.A. the most dangerous?

Basketball 101, of course, says that the road to success can only be trod by Selfless Kobe, who will spread the ball around and keep defenses from ganging up on him. With a vastly improved Luke Walton and a reliable (when healthy) Lamar Odom, there's something to be said for that.

But at least one NBA head coach, who has gotten beaucoup samples of Selfish Kobe, demurs.

"Look, nobody can take all the shots," he says. "But Kobe is the one player in the league who, when he gets that look in his eye and that determination that he is absolutely going to take over, there is nothing you can do about it. Repeat: Nothing. It isn't literally true that one player can beat you by himself, but Kobe comes close."

As an all-around offensive player, there is no one close to Bryant at the moment. He can bust you from the perimeter, post you up, drive you silly, and he might be the most dangerous when he's covered.

"That's when he just raises up and drains that line-drive jumper," an assistant coach says. "That's awfully depressing for a defense because it has played well and still pays the price."

There's no doubt that it's difficult for teammatess to play under withering criticism by a superstar. To his credit, Bryant has gotten better in the diplomacy area. So, with the understanding that he should be a little kinder and a little gentler, I'm going with SELFISH KOBE as the one who makes the Lakers most lethal.

Here is a sampling of your responses to last week's Choosing Sides between San Antonio teammates Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili regarding which player is better in a quarter-ending isolation situation:

James of San Antonio: "Charles Barkley says it best: GINNOOOOOOOOBILI!!!"

Ben of Baghdad: "Manu is the best option for multiple reasons. He can beat you on the drive so defenders have to give him space, and when that happens he will hit a three in a heartbeat. Manu's unpredictability gives defenses fits and they have no idea when or how he will get his shot off. And last but not least, he has proved over and over that he has the courage and the moxie to take and make the big shot."

Joe of Lancaster, Calif.: "Manu is a beter option. Well, at least he is now. I can remember a day when I used to cringe when Manu would get the ball. You knew he could do something very special with it, but he often could make a turnover just as easily. Those events are fewer in frequency these days."

Raphael of San Antonio: "I will have to take Tony, only because of his quickness and skill to make an accurate decision to shot or pass. Manu's 'agility' to get to the basket and shoot what seems to be an impossible shot can sometimes bite you it in the butt."

Keith Richey of Brooklyn, N.Y.: "I love Parker, but I will always pick the player with the high free throw percentage. Plus, Manu's style is a little more suited for break-down-the-defense situations."

Jerry Johnson of Lafayette, Ind.: "I'd take Parker because he does get layups. Ginobili gets many calls and shoots free throws well, but if the play calls for a full-court foray, Parker's the man."

Mario Fuentes of San Antonio: "I'm sure Pistons fans have not forgotten Robert Horry's three-point dagger when the Spurs took the ring from them in the 2005 Finals. It was Ginobili who was responsible for the timely pass to Horry."

Maria of Houston: "Tough call, but an exciting finish no matter who gets it!"

Katie of Eau Claire, Wis.: "Manu is the man. He's been described as a squirrel in traffic, but he's closer to a squirrel who's been drinking Red Bull and is on the loose in a demolition derby. He also reminds me of the ball in pinball. He's got more range than Parker, so the defender has to back off, and he's got more releases, so even when he's seemingly down, he's not out. Plus, you can't ignore his ability to reach the line. Free throws aren't as dramatic as field goals, but they win a lot of games."

Walter of Randallstown, Md.: "I'd go with Parker. Speed always beats craftiness. In the closing seconds, you don't always have time to 'gather' yourself, as Jack McCallum put it in describing Ginobili. Parker can get to the rim with either hand, and, if need be, kick it out to Ginobili, who is a much better shooter from behind the arc."

Win of New York: "You forgot to mention that Ginobli is also a more skillful and creative passer on the move than Parker is."

Pete of San Antonio: "This is like asking would you rather have a sapphire or a ruby. Either way, you're rich."