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INSERT Andrew Bogut, all 213cm of him, into the middle of the Boomers’ defence, and you know Andrej Lemanis’ wingmen can gamble.

His reassuring presence in itself makes Australia’s men’s team better but now picture his elite-level passing and his screens anchoring the offence.

Yes, make no mistake, the Boomers will be a different team at the Rio Olympics if Bogut can make it all the way back in time from his left knee’s severe bone-bruising.

“Andrew has been great and absolutely diligent in his rehab,” Lemanis said before the team left Australia today.

“He is very keen to play and is giving himself every chance. He has good days and bad so we just don’t know.”

What Lemanis DOES know is his NBA championship winning centre will do everything in his power to be able to go in Rio in just 17 days' time.

Australia opens its account against France at the Games, the French line-up including NBA players Nicholas Batum (Charlotte Hornets), Boris Diaw (Utah Jazz), Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz), Joffrey Lauvergne (Denver Nuggets) and Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs).

That won’t be any kind of picnic.

Serbia follows two days later, featuring Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets). Before you go pencilling that in, be reminded – as I was back in 2010 by then Boomers coach Brett Brown – no national team can be taken for granted.

NUGGET OF INFO: Nikola Jokic has NBA experience at Denver.

(Serbia beat Australia 94-79 at those 2010 FIBA Worlds).

On August 10, the Boomers face the one team which ONLY has NBA players, the USA.  Just a reminder, they are Kyrie Irving (Cleveland), Klay Thompson (Golden State), Carmelo Anthony (NY Knicks), Kevin Durant (Golden State),  DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento), Kyle Lowry (Toronto), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto), Harrison Barnes (Dallas Mavericks), Draymond Green (Golden State), DeAndre Jordan (LA Clippers), Paul George (Indiana), Jimmy Butler (Chicago).

On August 12, Australia takes on China, then Venezuela on the 14th.

Even Venezuela boasts an NBA face in Greivis Vasquez (Brookyln Nets).

Clearly, it would be very risky for the Boomers to wait until the death knell before their tournament opener to make the call on Bogut.

THE KEY & KEYWAY MAN: Countdown is on and fingers are crossed.

“We’d want some clarity probably by August 1,” Lemanis said.

“From a medical point of view, Andrew has to get past certain tests and get through three phases. For example, one leg has to be at 80 per cent of the other to get to Phase Two.

“But he has played with injuries before and he will know how much pain he can play with. He will know in his heart of hearts.”

The Boomers have complete faith Bogut will make the right call which is the one in Australia’s best interests.

Without him, they are still a formidable team but not quite the same. Aron Baynes and Bogut together would be a terrifying duo, for example.

Maric would not be called upon for Bogut-type duties but still can grab a rebound and set a bone-jarring screen.

The medal dream is far from out of the question but it doesn’t take much for a campaign to unravel.

That said, the words our newest NBA champion, Matthew Dellavedova, regularly says to young players at clinics and junior practices still ring true.

“Whenever I talk to kids I always say: ‘Dream big, don’t aim low.

“Aim to be the best and to get to the highest level’.

“Work hard every single day.”

Who knows then what awaits?