It is always unclear who is a malcontent star and who isn't. Kobe Bryant was a malcontent before he realized how good Andrew Bynum had become and that the front office was willing to get a guy like Gasol. I don't think that Boston represents a great example either. I don't think the Celtics success rests solely on the big three. All of those guys are old, and have been spelled significantly by great play from the supporting cast. Boston has been pleasantly surprised by fantastic play this year out of Rajon Rondo, Leon Powe, Kendrick Perkins, Glen Davis and James Posey. Without the backup cast, Boston's big three would be exhausted and likely injured. Such is the case with the Washington Wizards.
Shaq never fit into Phoenix's system, and Phoenix did not fully understand the defensive loss that losing Shawn Marion represented. Jason Kidd fundamentally didn't respect Avery Johnson, and he was used to having weak or ineffectual coaches so that he could dominate the team. Avery wasn't having any of that, and the conflict resulted in Mark Cuban choosing Kidd over Avery. Denver is just a flat out puzzling team. Marcus Camby, Kenyon Martin, Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson should make for a superstar team, but I guess without a good point guard to hold it together, and without an extra basketball or two for the egos, they couldn't pull it together. They are also never fully healthy. Every year someone important for them goes down.
I see Doyel's point, but it might be a reach here.
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