CLEVELAND – Khem Birch cried tears of joy back in October when he made the Orlando Magic’s opening-night roster and he very well could have been near tears again when he was shuttled back and forth between the G League and the NBA six times this season.
However, instead of pouting and/or doubting, Birch looked at his opportunities to play for the G League’s Lakeland Magic as chances to sharpen his skills, confirm his confidence and broaden his game so that when his NBA shot came along, he’d be ready. Birch, who is known in Magic circles for his first-to-arrive, last-to-leave approach to hard work, must be quite familiar with the old NBA adage that one must ``stay ready so that you don’t have to get ready.