Wait an f-ing minute here.
If Vivek and Co. actually see Demarcus as a roadblock/impediment to their "style" and "vision", they may just have fired Malone to pee off the guy and instill their "vision". And if Demarcus isn't on board with their coach ideas (Jackson, Mullin)?
It follows that the FO might suggest to the league to have the refs treat him horrendously on the court.
It follows that the FO wouldn't be protecting him or fighting for a fair treatment from the league.
It follows that they wouldn't make a big fuss if he doesn't make the All-Star game (despite a historic season, never been done before so far).
Then if Demarcus' attitude goes to crap and/or the team goes bad, DMC can be blamed for being "Selfish" and "an empty stat guy".
Demarcus is completely ****ed if the FO isn't behind him. He will lose this power struggle, since if the team wins, it validates that Malone wasn't necessary, and if the team loses, it validates (the idiotic thought) that he's not strong enough to make a winning team.
Seriously, if Boogie doesn't make the All-Star team this year, after having a season so far that has never been accomplished before in the history of the NBA..... and no national media pounces on it as a horrendous injustice/travesty, then Demarcus may well not be a King much longer because it may reveal how the FO doesn't want him.