In fact, these reporters were well-informed. They had already found out how Lambier had gone about recovering and training over the past two years.
Wang Yi's dunk had nearly cost the man his life.
His recovery had been a long process. Even though medical care was much better now than it had been in his father Bill Lambier's day, and most serious injuries took only three to five months to heal, he had still needed six months for his injury to heal and another six months before he was fit enough to train.
That showed just how serious the injury Wang Yi had inflicted on him had been.
A reporter asked a third question about Doug Lambier.
"Will you still have him guard the other team's key players on the court? For example, Wang Yi. We know he can make an opponent's key player tremble with fear."
This time, Middleton answered.
"Those are the coach's tactical decisions. They're not something we can control."
Another reporter's question came a little later: "What we really want to know is, will he keep taking players out?"
At that, Antetokounmpo furrowed his brows.
Everyone knew why they had signed Doug Lambier, but some things were better left unsaid. Once they were said aloud, neither side would look good.
He stared coldly at the reporter and only answered after a moment.
"Basketball is a competitive sport, not a combat sport. And even in combat sports, I don't believe any athlete goes out there intending to injure their opponent. We're all just trying to win. If someone does get hurt, all I can say is that it wasn't intentional."
"Anyway, we'll play tougher in this game, and playing tough often leads to injuries."
As Lambier's teammate, Antetokounmpo had said nothing wrong. But plenty of fans scoffed