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.
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