Ed Stefanski: The Apple Does Not Fall Too Far from the Tree

As Ed Stefanski, Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager, peered out of his Wachovia Center office window and saw something quite amazing; a mustache, karma, glasses, and a cerebral touch. His vision was clear and unmistakable. 

He saw two men in his dream-both of which were role players for championship teams; both men were defensive specialists, both men were high energy, extremely focused players who played the game the way the game was meant to be played. One has been a part of ten world championships the other six.

Kurt Rambis, Los Angeles Lakers assistant, is the man in Stefanski's vision, a former  six time world champion; three as a player and three as Phil Jackson's under study. Rambis is extremely bright, innovative, energetic, and passionate.

He understands the game as well as anybody, a true student in every sense. The mere fact that he has been with Phil Jackson in Los Angeles for close to 10 years adds a sense of realism to Stefanski's vision.

As the facilities workers moved about in the office, Ed came to and bumped his knee on the outside of his desk. He screeched with pain shook his leg a few times then grabbed his belongings to leave.

Ed approached the elevator to make his way down to the lobby when he saw a mysterious note in the elevator. The note was sealed with a tiny code on the front side.

Ed did not know what he should do; was he to open this sealed note or was he to throw it out since there was no name to whom it was addressed. Ed decided to open the note quickly within the elevator as he approached the first floor lobby of the Wachovia Center.

Ed peered at the words after opening the sealed note and immediately dropped his belongings, went back into the elevator ran through the hallway back up to his office. He opened the door, walked in, squinted only to see a dim figure sitting in his chair.

"Ed I am ready" exclaimed Rambis. Ed turned on the lights and realized his vision was not a dream but real in every way.