He also urged his NBA-based players to continue to "play hard", and refuse to bow to the perception they should toe the line against players with bigger reputations.

Canberra's Mills produced one of the more memorable moments in Australian basketball history when his third quarter heroics helped San Antonio Spurs seal the NBA title against Miami last year.

This year Dellavedova's Cleveland Cavaliers and compatriot Andrew Bogut's Golden State Warriors will do battle, prompting Lemanis to joke the secret to NBA glory is "having an Aussie on your team".

Lemanis rubbished claims in the American media Dellavedova is a dirty player, insisting the Australian way is to play tough and "if they [opposing players] get insulted about that, that's their problem".

"Anything which suggests that Delly is a dirty player means those people don't know Delly, those sort of comments just aren't fair," he said.

"He plays hard, there's no doubt about that, but everyone respects him for playing hard.

"That's what people want him to do, I'm not sure when playing hard and sacrificing for the good of the team is somehow bad for the game.

"I'm sure while he's probably a little jaded by the comments, he'll just keep doing what he's doing and keep playing hard.

"[Some big-name NBA players] think you have certain rights just because of your status and I think that's one of the things which make Australians great.

"We respect the game, but we don't fear or back down from anybody. We play hard and we play the right way, if you get insulted by that, then it's your problem."

With seven players currently in the NBA the Boomers are well placed for a legitimate shot at their first Olympic medal at Rio de Janeiro next year.

Minus an injured Bogut, the Boomers finished seventh at the 2012 London Games.

"It shows the difference Australians can make to a team environment, not only from their ability to contribute on court, but making a difference in the locker room with team dynamic and chemistry.

"Whenever you hear NBA guys interviewed about an Australian's contribution, they always speak about the quality of the person as well.

"I think that speaks volumes of who we are as a nation and how our guys represent us on the international arena.

"Having two guys in the finals is generating plenty of media interest here, which is great for Australian basketball."

Lemanis faces some welcome selection headaches as he settles on which back court suits his team best before the two-game Olympic qualifying series against New Zealand in August.

Mills and Dellavedova are back-up point guards at their respective NBA clubs, but have shown enough versatility to also excel at shooting guard.

Fellow point guard Dante Exum has also performed strongly in his rookie year with Utah Jazz.

"It's great options to have as a coach, I really look forward to seeing how all that plays out, who plays well together and at what times,"

"Absolutely no doubt [Mills and Dellavedova can play together]. At the last Oceania series they started and played together, and also at the London Olympics. Delly started as point guard, Patty at two [shooting guard]."

Lemanis said it's hard to compare generations but is confident he has a team which can at least match the Boomers golden era led by the likes of Andrew Gaze and Shane Heal.

"If you measure potential by the amount of minutes your squad is playing in the NBA, you'd have to say we're in very good shape," he said.

"We're not hiding behind the fact getting a medal is our goal, and we believe we have the talent to get it done."