Today's poll: NBA's most exciting team
Previous poll: Defensive Player of the Year

Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash Layne Murdoch/NBAE/Getty Images Video: Mavs run puts away Phoenix: Play When the Mavericks are in the zone, which is frequently, they shoot early and often, and hit from all over the floor. The NBA's top scoring team has its famous big three of Steve Nash, Michael Finley and Dirk Nowitzki all averaging more than 17 points per game, but beyond that, it is Nash's court vision and playmaking, Finley's athleticism and Nowitzki's seemingly unlimited range that make the Mavs so compelling. Dallas has also assembled a collection of role players who understand that even though they're not the focal point of the offense, they can make invaluable contributions. Nick Van Exel is a career starter at point guard who now backs up Nash and provides a jolt of energy off the bench. Up front, Raef LaFrentz and Shawn Bradley deny shots in the paint, while Eduardo Najera is forever chasing down rebounds and loose balls. In addition, all three shoot better than 50 percent from the field. Golden State Warriors Jason Richardson Catherine Steenkeste/NBAE/Getty Images Three of Golden State's five starters -- Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy -- are in just their second season, making the Warriors perhaps the most impressive collection of young talent in the league. At point guard, Arenas has all-around ability in the mold of Steve Francis, as likely to grab a rebound inside as find an open teammate with a half-court bounce pass. Richardson, the two-time defending All-Star Weekend dunk champion, is a highlight fixture with his creativity and skill above the rim. And Murphy bulked up during the offseason and is now throwing his size around in the paint, averaging a double-double. The emergence of the youngsters has nearly overshadowed the team's biggest offensive threat, Antawn Jamison, who scores more than 20 points per game, and in his fifth season serves as one of Golden State's veteran leaders. And then of course there's Earl Boykins. The 5-5 guard comes off the bench to average nearly 10 points and four assists a game. He rarely turns the ball over, is automatic from the free throw line and has been a clutch fourth-quarter performer since making his Warriors debut in late November. New Jersey Nets Jason Kidd Gary Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images No one in the league runs a fast break or finds an open cutter better than Jason Kidd, and with Richard Jefferson and Kenyon Martin always ready to jump into the stratosphere to throw down an alley-oop lob, there is often a slight air of tense anticipation surrounding Nets games. The aggressive, athletic style of both Jefferson and Martin going to the basket suit Kidd's game perfectly, and both -- still early in their careers -- have benefited greatly from playing alongside the NBA assist leader. The team has skilled shooters as well, with both Kerry Kittles and Lucious Harris knocking down more than 35 percent of their three-point shots. And in the middle, Dikembe Mutombo is working his way back into the lineup after missing much of the season with a wrist injury, and the wagging index finger that follows a rejected layup attempt will be a welcome sight for Jersey fans. Phoenix Suns Shawn Marion Barry Gossage/NBAE/Getty Images Stephon Marbury is posting his highest assist average in four years, and it's easy to see why. Like Kidd, his trade counterpart in New Jersey, Marbury has a pair of forwards in Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire who will run with him on a fast break and dunk over anyone. Marbury will still shoot, and since he's quick as well as strong, he's fearless taking the ball to the basket. In one often-replayed highlight from this season, Marbury tripped up Yao Ming with a crossover dribble, dropping the big man clear to the floor, then drove in for the open layup. Marion and the rookie Stoudemire, however, have become forces inside. Both average more than nine rebounds per game -- the only tandem in the league to accomplish that -- and Marion is scoring a career-high 21.3 points per game. He also ranks sixth in the league with 2.15 steals per game. And there are few teams in the NBA that have a fourth option like Penny Hardaway. Though he has again been injured this season, missing most of January and all of February, he continues to display the all-around skills that made him a superstar, scoring, rebounding and passing according to the Suns' needs. Sacramento Kings Chris Webber Jed Jacobsohn/NBAE/Getty Images The Kings are so skilled in so many aspects of the game that at times they look more like machine than team. Consider some of their league rankings: First in three-point percentage, second in scoring, field-goal percentage and steals, third in assists. With Mike Bibby, Peja Stojakovic, Doug Christie and Jim Jackson all hitting 40 percent from long-range, Sacramento can rain threes, or go inside to one of the most dominating power forwards in the NBA, Chris Webber. No-look and behind-the-back passes are routine, and five different players -- including Webber and center Vlade Divac -- average more than three assists per game. On the defensive end, the Kings actively generate turnovers that lead to fast breaks. Five different players average more than one steal, and Christie -- a superior one-on-one defender -- ranks second in the league only to Allen Iverson. The depth of the Sacramento's bench is formidable as well. Bobby Jackson, Jim Jackson and Keon Clark could easily start for many teams, while Hedo Turkoglu has a nice outside shooting touch and Scot Pollard provides a tough interior game.