Prominent National Basketball League identities are tipping a much tighter competition than last year's two-horse race, as the relaunched NBL seeks to make up lost ground.
The eight teams gathered in Sydney on Thursday, as the NBL prepared for the final phase of its pre-season Blitz competition and the start of a new era.
The de-merger from Basketball Australia is almost completed, though the new independent NBL is still to acquire a naming rights' sponsor.
"I'm confident this separation is going to have a positive impact, not only on our league, but for the sport itself," NBL interim chief executive Steve Dunn said.
"I'm extremely excited about the prospects that lie ahead.
"Yes, the NBL has lost ground in recent years - we know that. Our challenge is to bring it back to the lofty heights we enjoyed.
"A lot of you are thinking 'NBL, the jury is out. I'm not too sure'.
"That's our challenge, to tip the scales and either recruit you or bring the game back to you."
Three-time defending champions New Zealand and 2012-13 runners-up Perth were a class ahead of the other teams last season, but neither look as strong.
Both have a new coach and have lost a NBL season-MVP guard.
The Breakers farewelled Cedric Jackson and replaced him with American rookie professional (Kerron) Johnson, while former Sydney big man Darnell Lazare was also been recruited.
"One of the most difficult things to do in sport, three-peat or to go even more than that, we all know that's never been done before," said new Breakers' coach Dean Vickerman.
"It's unbelievably even. I'm looking around the league right now and everyone has got better."
Perth farewelled long-serving guard Kevin Lisch among five changes to their roster, but new coach Trevor Gleeson denied it would be a year of transition for the Wildcats.
"We definitely want to take that next step and win a championship, without question," Gleeson said.
Wollongong coach Gordie McLeod, whose team made the semi-finals last year, felt other clubs had caught up to New Zealand and Perth.
"Certainly, Adelaide are going to be up there; they've shown that already," McLeod told AAP.
"Melbourne were knocking on the door last year and they've made significant improvements and Cairns, we were very impressed with the way they played.
"There's a lot of teams that have got all the right ingredients and it's now which team can accelerate their development and get it going quicker than others.
"I think it's going to be a real dogfight."
