The Perth Wildcats are on the verge of achieving worldwide sporting immortality - but cementing top spot on the NBL ladder remains their No.1 focus ahead of Friday night's blockbuster against Melbourne United.
The Wildcats need just one more win to guarantee a 30th straight playoff appearance.
The feat would break the record in professional sport, eclipsing the previous best of 29 set by the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League from 1968-96.
Trevor Gleeson admitted he felt the pressure of continuing Perth's successful streak when he was appointed coach in 2013.
But it's a glaring spotlight Gleeson has learned to embrace, and he says it's an achievement the club thoroughly deserve.
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"It's remarkable," Gleeson said.
"We had Mike Ellis in for the heritage round, and he said he was the last captain not to make a playoffs.
"I don't want to be the coach who doesn't make the playoffs.
"It's a testament to the club, what they've been able to do. You have injuries; you have sickness; you have (bad) runs throughout the season.
"But to make it 30 years in a row - it would be something special. We've got to make sure we get there."
While the impending world record would be a fine feather in the cap for the Wildcats, their priority centres on winning their seventh championship this season.
And Friday night's top-of-the-table clash at Perth Arena looms as a critical juncture in the title race.
With just four matches remaining for each side, Perth and Melbourne are locked at the top of the ladder with identical 16-8 records.
The winner of Friday's match will be in the box seat to secure top spot - a position that will give them a best-of-three home-court advantage during the playoffs.
Star Wildcats import Casey Prather remains in doubt for Friday's match because of hamstring soreness.
Gleeson said he would give the 23-year-old up until match day to prove his fitness.
"But we've also got to have one eye on the future," Gleeson said.
"We don't want to damage (him) so that he's out for three or four weeks at the most-important time of the year."
Melbourne hold a 2-1 advantage over Perth this season.
But the Wildcats will start as warm favourites on their home court, especially after dismissing Melbourne 113-83 when the teams met there last month.
Wildcats import Jermaine Beal stole the show that night, hitting a club-record 10 three-pointers on the way to a 40-point haul.
PERTH WILDCATS' FEATS:
* Featured in the playoffs every season since 1987
* Titles: 6 - 1990, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2010, 2014
