Going bush has convinced the Brisbane Bullets they can go from the NBL cellar to champions in the space of a season.
A new-look Bullets opened the league with a shock 86-73 defeat of the rated New Zealand Breakers in Auckland, flexing their muscles in the second half and promising better is to come.
Their first win in Auckland since 2005 was based on superior rebounding and the contribution of three key recruits - Boomers Cam Gliddon (29 points, 6 rebounds) and Cam Bairstow (14, 5), along with NBA veteran Alonzo Gee (13, 6).
It was a performance that suggested they won't claim the wooden spoon for a third straight season.
In fact, Gliddon said the goals are lofty following a gruelling two-day camp in the Queensland wilderness two weeks ago, where players were literally introducing themselves.
"It was just learning about each other. We had a big overhaul, we've got a lot of new players," Gliddon said.
"That camp was the first time as a team we were all together, so it was just getting to know each other, what makes each other tick and what you want to get out of this year.
"Obviously the biggest one is to win a championship, that's what we're going for."
Gliddon is embracing Saturday's home game against a Cairns Taipans team he represented for six seasons before penning a three-season deal with the revitalised Bullets.
Surgery to ease a bulging disc had him feeling fresh.
It was the same for former Chicago Bull forward Bairstow, who has taken 18 months to overcome chronic knee problems.
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