I realize this is off-topic, but watch game tape of Garnett and you'll see a player well past his prime. And Nowitzki's never been known for his low-post prowess.
but even when he isn't known for it, because he chooses very often not the classical low post moves - he lives from the feeds in the post. He isn't the dude, who get the ball at the 3 point line(and then mostly just to shoot it) or even in the own court and create his shot himself. he is also not really a genious passer, even when he understoods good to pass out of double teams(even when he struggles in that discipline against okc). So overall he get utilize at a post player, even when you could play pick and pop with him.
Even the Spurs in their heyday relied as much on Ginobili and Parker as they did on Duncan.
And kobe wasn't succesful without a scoring inside presence like Gasol or Shaq ;)
I'm pretty sure that Dwight Howard would disagree with your definition of success. He'll be wearing a different uniform after next season because his team can't win in the playoffs.
that mostly what i said, because those dude would struggle without him maybe comparable with the Cavs without Lebron(maybe not that extrem, but Lebron is actually the best player on the court even when i don't like him and his style of play)