Kobe Bryant never gets tired of being the Lakers’ closer. And though he savored the chance to stop Los Angeles’ longest losing streak in nearly three years with yet another flawless game-winning shot, Bryant is hoping he won’t have to bail out the Lakers quite so frequently in the final weeks before they defend their title.

The “Associated Press” reported Tuesday that the Los Angeles Clippers fired team General Manager Mike Dunleavy; just a little over a month since giving up his title as coach of the club. The Clippers have promoted assistant General Manager Neil Olshey to take over the position. On February 4, Los Angeles named assistant coach Kim Hughes as interim coach for the rest of the season.

The Clippers released a statement announcing the move. The team said “The team has simply not made sufficient progress during Dunleavy’s seven-year tenure. The Clippers want to win now. This transition, in conjunction with a full commitment to dedicate unlimited resources, is designed to accomplish that objective.”

The Clippers had a record of 25-38 through Monday March 8, and were 215-325 during Dunleavy’s stint as the club’s bench boss. Los Angeles made the Post Season just once while Dunleavy was coach and they have no shot at making it this season.

Rumors have already started to surface as to the candidates that may take over for the long term. Will the Clippers once again consolidate the duties as General Manager as they did this season with Dunleavy? Or will they hire a General Manager and a head coach; a situation that New York Vinnie believes would serve them much more effectively?

There are many reasons why New York Vinnie would favor any team hiring two people rather than giving all the power to one man. First and foremost as the old saying goes two heads are better than one; you have someone to bounce ideas off who may have a different perspective than you have. However in this day and age it is far too taxing for one person to be able to do both jobs effectively. The NBA has changed quite a bit since 1966; and there are no coaches on any team’s bench that will make any one forget Red Auerbach.

New York Vinnie believes that the perfect fit as coach for the Clippers is former Hornets head coach Byron Scott. Not only is Scott one of the sharpest young coaches available; there is already a very strong connection with the city of Los Angeles due to Scott being a key member of the “Showtime-Era Lakers.” There are not a whole bunch of situations in the NBA where a head coach can help you sell tickets.

The Clippers have been a bottom feeder in the NBA almost every year they have been in existence. They now have a chance to start out and bring in the right management team to finally turn their fortunes around. Will they be smart enough to do that? Only time will tell.

Mike Dunleavy and the Los Angeles Clippers parted company for good Tuesday, barely a month after he relinquished his head coaching duties to focus solely on being general manager. Now that arrangement is over, with the team announcing his departure in an e-mailed statement. Assistant general manager Neil Olshey will take over Dunleavy’s job.