But the strength of the club’s program was further bolstered last week when NBA guru Brett Brown hit town to oversee a session with the squad.

Having just guided San Antonio to the 2007 NBA title, Brown, a former NBL coach and national assistant, arrived at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Friday to run the players through a typical Spurs session.

And he was impressed by what he saw.

“They’re very attentive, you can tell Shane, over time, is trying to establish a culture here,” Brown said.

“It was all defence, just telling them some of the principles of the Spurs’ defensive play. We have had good defensive teams in the past and we’ve won Championships in the past and this is how we do it.

“I wanted the team to experience what we do at San Antonio, not to change anything, just to run a normal day at the Spurs – this is how we teach it and drill it and we’ve had some success doing it.”

Following the on-court hit-out Brown highlighted the work of US imports Nick Horvath and Cortez Groves, tipping big seasons ahead for the two stars.

“I think for Nick, once he starts getting into some fitness, life will become easy and I think Cortez has got to put his hand up and take pride in being one of the defensive leaders on the team,” he said.

“With Nick Horvath and the defensive mind of Cortez Groves, then not only do you have good players, you have the cornerstone of the program.”

With the Spurs’ fourth title in eight seasons now safely etched in the record books, Brown knows what it takes to win: defence.

“You end up stripping it down to it is what it is, you have to guard or you’re not going to win,” he said.

“If you don’t guard you’re not going to win, there’s no other way to say it.

“The triangles (of success) are fitness, chemistry and defence, You have to be fit, you have to have chemistry and you have to play defence, and that’s all got be sprinkled underneath some talent.”

Brown has forged a strong friendship with Heal since his days on the NBL circuit and kept a watchful eye on his transition from player to coach.

“I have many friends in the NBL but Shane is someone I take a special, special interest in and I think we’re going to see a long coaching career from him,” he said.

“There aren’t many (player-coaches) around, but he’s one of the few I think that can make that transition from being an elite player to getting involved in coaching.

“There are people who have performed at a high level that get impatient with people who don’t, but he’s got a human side to him where I think he can help those people get to a higher level without being impatient.

“The biggest and best quality is that he’s fiercely competitive.

“The successful coaches in the NBA – Avery Johnson, Pat Riley, Gregg Popovich and Jerry Sloan from Utah, Miami, Dallas and the Spurs – they’re brutally competitive, they hate losing and it gets extended to your team and for all those reasons I think he can make the transition and make it well.”

On the eve of the FIBA Oceania qualifying series against New Zealand next week, Brown reiterated the need for a fully fit squad to suit up for next year’s Olympic Games.

“I think the Boomers results in Europe have been good, they got beaten badly by Italy but Italy beat a lot of people badly and they’re a very, very good team,” he said.

“The other results were close and competitive, the only message I would throw out to the marketplace is really just repetitive of what (head coach) Brian (Goorjian) has been saying, you’ve got to get to a stage where the best players are available.

“I know that’s easier said than done with insurance issues and health issues, but the holy grail needs to be getting your best players to play for Australia and all efforts by the players need to be made to be able to do that, particularly in Olympic years.

“I make that comment not to scold, because I understand that there are issues, but philosophically if the best players can come together and give Australia every chance they can of medalling, then I think they’ve got a hell of a good coach, I think there’s enough talent out there and you’ve got a chance, but until that happens it’s that competitive in the world that it’s tinkering on unrealistic to think you’re going to come in and steal a medal – it’s possible but it’s difficult.”

Cheer the Boomers all the way to Beijing next Monday, August 20 at Vodafone Arena, Tickets to the clash are on sale now, via www.ticketek.com.au or 13 28 49.