Denial, anxiety and finger-pointing are some of China's reactions to news the country's towering basketball icon Yao Ming may miss this year's World Championships through injury.

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, of China, is driven from the arena locker room by security director Al Higham after his NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz on Monday, April 10, 2006, in Salt Lake City. Yao broke his left foot in the first quarter. The Jazz beat the Rockets, 85-83. [AP]

The Houston Rockets' announcement of a possible six-month recuperation period for Yao's broken foot -- sustained during an NBA match on Monday -- was greeted with scepticism by China's top basketball administration.

Perhaps the reporters who covered the news had misheard, Hu Jiashi, deputy director of National Basketball Management Centre, suggested in a local newspaper.

Yao's official cheer squad, Team Yao, was also in denial.

"When I heard this news, I was very surprised," said member Zhang Mingji. "I wondered whether the American media had got it wrong."

As China's national team prepares for September's World Championships in Tokyo, Yao's left foot -- and the doctors that treat it -- will be under fierce scrutiny from China's legion of sport fans.

"It is our national team that has been injured!" cried one distressed fan in an Internet chat room.

Yao's early exit from the NBA season caps off the Rockets' injury-plagued year -- but few Chinese fans are shedding tears.

Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy has been singled out for special online grilling, labelled "good for nothing" and blamed for playing Yao Ming at the tail-end of a fruitless season.

'VICIOUS CAPITALIST'

"(Van Gundy) disabled Yao Ming! He's more vicious than a capitalist!" stormed one disappointed fan.

"The Rockets are already out of the play-offs... yet Yao still plays... Firmly support (Van Gundy's) sacking!"

The 7-foot-6 Yao, who previously missed 21 games through a toe infection, was more upbeat regarding surgery and a long lay-off.

"After my last post-surgery comeback, I made 20 (points) and 10 (rebounds)," Yao told a local newspaper. "Maybe it's the best thing for me and when I come back I'll be stronger."

With Yao's injury, all three Chinese players with NBA experience -- dubbed China's "Great Wall" -- have question marks over their fitness leading up to the World Championships.

Former San Antonio Spurs player Menk Bateer is undergoing treatment in Houston for injuries sustained playing for Beijing Ducks in China's top league, whilst former Miami Heat centre Wang Zhizhi has not played professionally in over six months.

Yao had been averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Rockets this season, but even China's most die-hard fans are reluctant to rush him back into the national team before he is ready.

"Whatever the situation, the main thing is getting the injury right," said Team Yao cheerleader Zhang. "Although the World Championships are important, they are not as important as the Olympics."