BOSTONWhen the Boston Celtics signed Chris Wilcox, their thinking was clear.
An experienced big man with soft hands, who could score around the basket, could rebound and was athletic?
Who wouldn't want someone like that?
But with Wilcox, it's never been a question of whether he could play.
It was whether he could play with any kind of consistency.
While that's still up for debate, Friday night's performance in Boston's 94-87 win was a good jumping-off point for Wilcox to shake those underachieving demons of his past.
Wilcox came off the Celtics bench to score a season-high 14 points on 6-for-8 shooting, in addition to grabbing six rebounds.
Boston Celtics
"Chris Wilcox came in and had a heck of a game," said Pacers coach Frank Vogel.
Injuries and familiarity with the Celtics system have been at the root of his struggles in Boston.
But the time out with a calf injury - and before that, it was a hamstring - has allowed him to see the game in a light that he believes will make things easier for him going forward.
"I just have to get out there, get some minutes under me, and just get my confidence in my body back," he told CSNNE.com prior to the game. "Now it's just a matter of me getting out there, and doing what I do."
Mission accomplished.
The only thing that seems to be giving him trouble now is his conditioning, which is always an issue for players who haven't been able to practice or play much due to injuries.
"The last two games, Chris has been you know, if he could play with an oxygen tank, he'd be phenomenal," said Celtics head coach Doc Rivers. "He's absolutely dying out there. But he's still giving us the time and he's doing everything for us, which is terrific."
Following Friday's game, Wilcox said he's definitely starting to feel more comfortable.
"I'm still kind of sore, but at the same time we all grinding, we all sore right now," he said. "We are all working together and good things are happening for us."