Coach Mike Dunleavy sent a message early in training camp to Chris Wilcox, saying the Clippers "would definitely make the playoffs" if the 6-foot-10, 235-pound forward-center had a great season.

"It's no secret, I've told the whole world, so it can't be lack of communication," Dunleavy said. "I've put it out there, 'Here, if you play this way, it's going to happen.' It's definitely clear."

"He has to be consistent with it," Dunleavy said. "It's about eating the glass every game. If you can defend and eat the glass, do that consistently, that's going to get you consistent playing time and consistent minutes.

"And things can happen for him offensively. He's got some tools. He can jump, and we've got some guys who can make plays."

That's fine with Wilcox.

"I'm trying to build on that every day, trying to make every day better than the last one," he said. "Especially getting closer [to the season opener], I want to step up and try to bring that energy.

"I want to be right on time. I don't want to be the type that just keeps that steady pace going. I want to keep going up and getting better. The whole team's level of play goes up when mine goes up, but I've got to provide that spark."