Yao Ming's season-ending injury has forced China's coaches and players to consider a situation they've never even thought about - entering the Beijing Olympics without their superstar center.
National team head coach Jonas Kazlauskas has hurriedly revamped his game plan as the team prepares to launch its final training camp before the Games on March 8 in Sanya, Hainan province.
Yao's fractured left foot dominated the headlines in Olympics-crazed China yesterday, with fans and officials desperately hoping the unexpected injury won't ruin China's Olympic dream in August.
"We have started to make some preparations to play without Yao," said Hu Jiashi, vice-president of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), at a packed press conference in Beijing yesterday. "I cannot tell whether Yao will miss the Games or not, so we have to learn how to play without Yao, practically and mentally."
Yao's backup is likely to be former Dallas Mavericks center Wang Zhizhi, the first Chinese player to make it to the NBA who now plays for the CBA's Baiyi Rockets. The national team also features forward Zhu Fangyu, this year's CBA MVP, and Milwaukee Bucks forward Yi Jianlian.
"The team used to have some Yao-less game plans before, and I think coach Jonas will work out more plans like that in the upcoming training camp," Hu added. "He had dual lineups and game plans and was prepared to send the team out on court with or without Yao.
"We need to face the reality and prepare actively rather than just sit here and complain."
The 2.26m (7-foot-6) Yao, who was averaging 22 points and 10.8 rebounds per game this season, will miss the remainder of the NBA season and the playoffs with a stress fracture in his left foot, Houston general manager Daryl Morey announced yesterday.
Houston media called the injury "devastating" for a team that just extended its winning streak to 13, its best such streak in 14 years.
In a poll conducted by Internet portal Sina.com, 50 percent of participants say the Rockets won't go beyond the first round of the playoffs and another 20 percent believe the team won't even make it that far.
The Rockets said Yao was expected to be sidelined for three to four months, and only then would he begin full rehabilitation training.
That would leave Yao with only a month or two to regain match fitness for the August 8-24 Games, a tight schedule for the man China hopes will lead its team to a top-six finish at the Games.
"When we heard about Yao's injury, we felt shocked and concerned just like all the basketball fans in China," national team manager Bai Xilin said. "We can totally understand how he feels right now and we hope he'll remain positive and optimistic while receiving treatment."
According to Rockets physician Tom Clanton, Yao has two possible treatments for his injury. He could undergo surgery, which would involve placing screws across the bone between his ankle and foot to hold it together. The recovery time from surgery is expected to be four months.
The other option is to treat the left foot with a cast and crutches. That approach would take between three and four months.
Chinese medical experts are optimistic Yao will be able to play in the home Olympics.
"I think time is enough for him to get himself ready for the Games," said Qiao Wei, Medical Education director of the Beijing University of Physical Education. "In fact, exhaustion was really the major reason behind Yao Ming's injury."
But Hu refused to blame the Rockets and the 38 minutes per night they demanded of Yao.
"He cannot reduce his (playing) time because he is a solid starter," Hu said. "Injury is unavoidable in any competitive sport. The issue alerted us and avoiding injury will be on top of our agenda before the Beijing Games."
Yao is seeking a second opinion before undergoing treatment because missing the Olympics would be "the biggest loss of his career". He said he would make a decision in the next six to 10 days.
"I'm looking for fast," Yao said. "Whatever way makes me come back quicker and, of course, what won't make me worry about the rest of my career."
"I don't think it's about being angry. If I cannot play in the Olympics for my country this time, that would be the biggest loss in my career to right now."
The center had been playing through pain since the NBA's All-Star weekend in mid-February.
Yao missed 32 games last season with a fractured right tibia and 21 games during the 2005-06 season with a toe infection that required surgery. He also missed four games at the end of that season with a broken foot.
The Rockets will likely lean on veteran center Dikembe Mutombo and forwards Luis Scola, Chuck Hayes and Carl Landry for more minutes.
Mutombo, who only played 14 games this season, started for the first time in Tuesday's game against the Washington Wizards.