The former running joke of the NBL is ready to have the last laugh.

Sydney Kings coach Brian Goorjian says years of being mocked as a team with no heart have steeled his side for an historic NBL title run - and finally some payback.

While jeers turned to cheers after the Kings sealed their first NBL minor premiership last night, Goorjian said those lean years were the inspiration for his side's stunning turnaround this season.

"They made a bond and stuck together and I think that also brought a toughness to the team that maybe they didn't have before," Goorjian said of the Kings' dark years.

"I walked into something that was probably a bit special because of the things they have gone through just to be there.

"I thought in the last two games the guys who have been there like (Kings skipper) Shane (Heal) they have a mind set where they are not going to lose right now."

For years the purple-clad Kings were dubbed the "Violet Crumbles" for their ability to implode under pressure, a tag that grew in stature as the cashed-up outfit missed the finals year after year despite much hype.

Things didn't look any better before this season when Boomers coach Goorjian arrived to take up the Sydney reins after 15 seasons in Victoria, only for the Kings to go into voluntary administration.

"When I went to the first training session at Gosford I just thought we were in trouble," Goorjian admitted.

"(Import) Kavossy (Franklin) was out, Chris (Williams) had just arrived, a lot of the guys weren't in great shape, we didn't have a lot of depth.

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