By Josh Cohen

There are many common clichés in sports: Defense wins championships, Practice makes perfect, and it’s not over until the final buzzer sounds (or fat lady sings to some people) are some of the popular adages.

But, in the NBA, there is one maxim that is nearly always true: Every team makes a run.

Like it was on Monday when Utah erased an 18-point deficit against Charlotte before losing and when Oklahoma City overcame a 21-point hole to beat Boston, Tuesday featured similar comebacks.

Orlando expunged an 18-point deficit but still fell to Utah, Jeremy Pargo connected on a runner at the buzzer to help Charlotte overcome a 10-point shortage to beat OKC and Philadelphia crawled out of an early 12-point dearth to triumph over Boston.

Ask any player in the NBA what the most important thing to keep in mind during a game is and I guarantee they will say, “You have to play the full 48 minutes.” It is probably Rashard Lewis’ go-to quote during pre and postgame interviews.

Unlike playing in a recreational, high school or even college game, the talent in the NBA is too first-rate to sleep on an opponent. We all have witnessed large leads in the NBA evaporate and transform into defeats. During the 2008 NBA Finals, for example, the Boston Celtics overcame a 24-point deficit in Game 4 to stun the L.A. Lakers.

Even in Summer League, a lead is never safe and teams must recognize it if they want to come away with victory.

By Dan Savage

According to reports, the Magic found their premier backup at the point guard position – behind Jameer Nelson – for the 2010-11 NBA season when they agreed to terms with Chris Duhon early on Tuesday. However, the third spot on their roster is still up for grabs.

And that’s exactly the position that Jerome Randle is hoping to fill. He’s the only college free agent on Orlando’s summer league roster and he’s hoping to flash enough potential to get a non-guaranteed contract by the time the league wraps up on Friday.

Although Randle hasn’t exactly blown away the competition, he’s put together back-to-back solid performances. He’s started both contests for the Magic at point guard and is averaging eight points, four assists and 3.5 rebounds per game.

“I’m just trying to take in as much information as I possibly can to try and be successful in this league,” he explained. “Hopefully I can get picked up by a team.”

Perhaps the most interesting note about Randle is that he is a former college teammate of Ryan Anderson. The Magic forward has dropped by both days to show his support and has provided the young guard with some words of wisdom.

“He’s here watching games and giving me positive feedback,” Randle said. “He tells me to just come out and play hard and be aggressive. They’re not looking for a lot flashy stuff. They’re looking for (someone to) run an offense, play defense and knock down open shots.”

If Randle can continue to improve at doing those things, the former Cal duo may be reunited once again.

By Josh Cohen

Some may compare it to a circus, others a carnival and there may even be a few who associate it with an entire amusement theme park.

It’s like waiting for the magician to juggle six bowling pins simultaneously or anticipating that exhilarating dip down an extreme roller coaster ride.

This summer’s free agency period, although less than a week old, has forced pharmaceutical companies to discover enhanced medical options for throbbing migraines. It’s caused some NBA fans (particularly in Cleveland, Chicago, New York and Miami) to consider a relocation to Antarctica to escape the torturous uncertainty.

While two of the marquee free agents, Joe Johnson and Amar’e Stoudemire, have confirmed their decisions, others like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh remain a nebulous mystery.

One minute you read reports that James wants to play with Bosh; the next minute you read that Wade wants to play with James; then moments later on television you see that Bosh evidently wants to play with James and/or Wade; subsequently you hear that Wade would accept playing with Carlos Boozer if he can’t unite with Bosh; etc. etc. etc.

It’s been a remarkable few days, and it is far from over. While the big names continue to be discussed, there have been several smaller deals that have reportedly transpired.

The Orlando Magic, for one, reportedly came to an agreement with Chris Duhon on a four-year contract. A former teammate of fellow free agent J.J. Redick at Duke, Duhon spent the last two seasons playing with the New York Knicks.

By Josh Cohen

There are thousands of athletes across the world that based on skill alone can play a sport professionally. But, it’s an individual’s work ethic and commitment, dedication to fitness and nutrition and knowledge of exercise strategies that separates the elite from the ordinary.

Every successful NBA player spends significant time in the weight room – improving their strength and cardio. It takes a lot of stamina and potency to compete in such a bloodthirsty and arduous league.

Just running up and down on an NBA-sized court for 40-plus minutes is not something that the average person can achieve without needing reasonable rest.

NBA FIT, which serves to educate people on the importance of fitness and nutrition, emphasizes various exercises and dietary plans to consider. For instance, it elucidates on several basketball workouts including drills to improve rotation and flexion, power and speed and core stabilization.

All of the Summer League participants, moreover, should spend a sensible period of time reading about fitness and diet, learning what is best for their bodies and applying what they discover in their everyday workouts.

Similarly, it’s important for these youngsters to ask questions to some of the veterans about proper techniques. Daniel Orton, for example, has already been in conversation with Dwight Howard about what it takes to improve strength.

It’s not easy, but if these players are serious about sustaining a long, healthy career in the NBA, they will need to become experts on this subject.

By Dan Savage

There are a lot of interesting conversations that occur during mealtime at Summer League. Topics usually range from strange Hollywood scuttlebutt to the latest trade rumors around the association.

Today was no different. Besides the latest drama in Paris Hilton’s world, it appeared that every person I sat next to had figured out LeBron James’ next destination. With the utmost certainty one person assured me that King James will end up in Chicago. The next said he’ll end up in the same place as Chris Bosh. Another person discounted that and said Dwyane Wade and Bosh are an assured package deal. Someone else later proclaimed that there’s no doubt he’ll be back in Cleveland. Moral of the story, even in league circles, you still have to be careful what you believe.

Unlike last season, Ryan Anderson isn’t playing in Summer League. But he’s still putting in plenty of hard work. On Tuesday, Rhino put up shots, stopped at a local gym to box and then headed back to the RDV Sportsplex to lift and support the Magic’s Summer League squad.

Darius Miles was initially listed on Charlotte’s Summer League roster. But don’t expect to see him in action this week. Miles was told by his doctors to limit his team participation to one daily practice with the stipulation of taking every third day off. Still, he’s in Orlando to work with the squad and support his teammates.

Although I like to play a game of poker from time to time, don’t expect me to sit down at a table with GM Otis Smith any time soon. Just one day after telling the media he’s remaining “patient,” the team has reportedly agreed to a deal with Chris Duhon. That’s why anytime I see Smith, I think of this song.