Coach Carlisle asked in confusion, "Isn't Wang Yi just an NBA player?"
The team doctor shook his head. "NBA-level physicality is one thing. Wang Yi-level physicality is another."
"What's the difference?"
Carlisle asked.
The team doctor explained to Coach Carlisle, "Based on years of research, we've divided NBA physicality into five levels in the field of sports medicine: preseason, regular season, Playoffs, Finals, and Wang-level."
Head Coach Carlisle was somewhat skeptical as he listened.
They were all people, all NBA players. Why was Wang Yi's level of physicality a tier above every other NBA player's—above the entire NBA?
The first four levels—preseason, regular season, Playoffs, and Finals—were all NBA games. Then they'd singled out Wang Yi and given him a level of his own.
Wasn't that a bit of an exaggeration?
Wang Yi was only human, with a body made of flesh and blood. Was he really that strong?
Thinking this, Coach Carlisle said to Death Knell, "Bruce, I know Wang Yi is incredibly physical, but you need to stay on him and make him work, so he'll be too busy dealing with you to pay attention to Hali. That'll give Hali more chances to make plays. Understand?"
Death Knell instinctively rubbed his chest, then vigorously swept his hair back with both hands. "Don't worry, Coach. I'm Death Knell!"
Seeing Death Knell make that gesture put Coach Carlisle somewhat at ease.
Whenever Death Knell did that on the court, it meant he was about to get serious with the opposing star.
Under Death Knell's defense, even Morant and Jalen Green had struggled. Even someone as strong as King Arthur had finally snapped after being pestered by him, gotten into a confrontation with Death Knell, and been ejected after the two squared off.
So Death Knell should be able to limit