January 6, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Mike D

If basketball teams were structured like football teams then Mike D’Antoni would better serve the Lakers as an offensive coordinator instead of being a head coach. No D Antoni has no clue how to inspire his team. He routinely has no explanation for why the Lakers are mired in mediocrity. His frame of reference for success is whatever he accomplished in Europe having done next to nothing in the NBA. Even worse is the team’s chemistry worsens with each passing day.

Like many that have been blinded by the offensive prowess of D’Antoni, Jim Buss completely ignored the most important factor of all when hiring a new coach.

You see these Lakers didn’t need an offensive guru to get them to Titletown. Now they could no doubt use the assistance of defensive specialist. However what this team badly needs from its head coach is leadership.

By all accounts D’Antoni is failing as a leader. He’s alienated guys like Antawn Jamison by burying him at the end of the bench without explanation. He’s ignored the talents of Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard forcing both bigs to figure out their role on their own. Even worse is he’s yet to accept any responsibility for the team’s struggles.

At first we were led to believe the return of Steve Nash was the missing element in this catastrophic equation. His return had done nothing to turn the tide.

Next the hope was some time in the coach’s system would unify the squad. With each passing week the Lakers grown further and further apart as a team.

Now what are we waiting for? Next season it would seem.

What the Lakers brass failed to account for was having a coach that would hold the team itself accountable. The Xs and Os are one thing. Having the right system in place is only half the battle. Phil Jackson’s use of the Triangle Offense was not the reason why he has two fists full of rings. It takes a certain type of individual to understand how to inspire and lead.

No D Antoni is not that man.

D’Antoni seems content to sit back in his high chair as if he has nothing to prove. Almost as if it’s the players that must figure out how to make his grand design work. There is something to be said for empowering players. PJ was known for doing that often during games. However that approach is not possible without the proper foundation.

To be fair D’Antoni didn’t have a full offseason to build his foundation. But he’s had two months now to at least light a fire underneath a struggling hoops team. The Lakers routinely look flat on the court, resigned to their failures without a fix in sight.

That falls on the shoulders of the coaches. If they can’t inspire then who will?

More to the point there is no progress being made. It’s either time for D’Antoni to try a new approach or for the Lakers to reconsider the hire all together. Of course we pretty much know how this will go. D’Antoni will remain on scholarship while the most disappointing team in NBA history spirals down the drain.

In reality the lack of leadership in the Lakers’ front office is where all these problems start. So in a sense it’s only fitting they hired a head coach in their image.

Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Hey, Jim Buss. In case you haven’t noticed your Lakers have regressed under head coach Mike D’Antoni while the New York Knicks are greatly improved without him.

Coincidence?

While D’Antoni was in the New York the Knicks looked nothing like the team they are now. Those Knicks had no chemistry, played with no offensive rhythm despite D’Antoni’s supposed offensive genius and definitely had no clue when it came to defense.

Any of that sound familiar?

Since Mike Woodson took over the Knicks the team has completely changed. They’re now a true Eastern Conference contender and here is the real shocker…they’re actually playing defense…gasp!

The easy excuse was that D’Antoni didn’t have the proper point guard to run the show for him in NYC.

Does that also sound familiar?

This notion of waiting around for Steve Nash to save the day is beyond foolish. It’s pathetic. By no means should a head coach and his offensive system be so dependent upon one player. Unless that player is one of the NBA’s elite like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James or even current MVP candidate Carmelo Anthony. Otherwise any coach with true championship mettle should be able to work with whatever talent he’s got to find a winning formula.

Under D’Antoni the collective basketball world looked at Carmelo Anthony as a selfish ballplayer that derailed New York’s aspirations. Funny how everyone is singing a different tune now that Woodson is running the show in D’Antoni’s absence.

What has changed in New York since D’Antoni departed?

Well, easiest and simplest answer s that D’Antoni leaving is what’s helped the Knicks improve. Certainly the addition of a rejuvenated Jason Kidd has helped. Obviously getting a coach that could get the most of his talent instead of forcing a square peg system into a round hole roster went a long way too.

Maybe D’Antoni bashing has become a fad in Los Angeles. Pretty much everyone is doing it while lamenting the botched handling of the Phil Jackson flirtation. So just consider this another brick in the wall.

Still, you can’t ignore what has happened in New York and what is going on in Lakerland. There is one common thread and if that’s not enough proof then just watch tonight to see what kind of an effort the Lakers give in Madison Square Garden. If ever there was a moment for D’Antoni’s Lakers to make a statement it’s tonight. If he can’t get the Laker motivated for this occasion then we’ll know all we need of this coach.