Bruton, who recently signed with the Brisbane Bullets, had a calming effect on his Boomers teammate and injured Australian centre Chris Anstey is not surprised by the influence which Bruton has had.

"CJ is a great player in the fact he can distribute and get his teammates involved but if he needs to do it he can take over and score," Anstey told Paul Kennedy from FIBA.

"I think he is special in that he doesn't need to score."

The absence of big men like Anstey, David Andersen and Matthew Nielsen means the Boomers must receive scoring contributions from the backcourt. Bruton and veteran shooting guard Jason Smith shot 58 per cent and 48 per cent respectively from the three point line at the Athens Olympics, but could only manage a combined 7/29 in China.

Without an improved shooting performance from the backcourt, opposition defenses will be able to crowd the key and stop the likes of Andrew Bogut and the penetration of Sam Mackinnon.

Standing less than 200cm tall and playing away from his regular small forward position, Mackinnon has shown himself more than capable of guarding the world's elite power forwards, and has impressed the Boomers coaching staff with his recent performances.

"Mackinnon's very versatile and can guard bigs," said assistant coach Rob Beveridge.

"We consider him our best player, our most experienced and best player."

One player who has performed above expectations has been 21-year-old Townsville Crocodiles star Brad Newley.

Newley scored 21 points against European champion and eventual winner Greece, and scored 13 points in the last 11 minutes of the 77-71 victory over France.

Beveridge believes various injuries to the Boomers have allowed Newley increased court time, enabling him to adjust to the tough international game quicker than usual.

"If we had a Saville, if Mackinnon was playing (Newley) probably wouldn't have got that opportunity."

Anstey believes the athletic Newley's work ethic has also fast tracked his development.

"Newley has got a lot better, he has been working his butt off. I definitely think he is going to be an international basketballer. "

Anstey knows that the Boomers have the challenge ahead of them as they go into the World Championships.

"Its going to be an unbelievably big challenge," says Anstey. "If you take 3 starters away from any team in the world they would struggle."

"Its going to be the toughest challenge they've had in the last 12 years I think. My goal would be to make the last 8, and even that in itself is going to be a huge challenge. When you make the last eight, you then win 1 game and you are playing for a medal."