Much of Brisbane's fortunes will rest on the shoulders - or knees - of returning star Cameron Bairstow as they aim to climb off the NBL canvas.
Hampered by pre-season injuries to key recruits Matt Hodgson, Cameron Gliddon and Mika Vukona, the Bullets have pundits questioning whether they can improve on back-to-back wooden spoons since their re-entry into the league.
They begin their NBL season in Auckland on Thursday against the New Zealand Breakers before a Queensland grudge match on Saturday at home against the Cairns Taipans.
Former NBL journeyman Mark Worthington thinks Brisbane's fortunes, and with it the future of coach Andrej Lemanis, could rest on the performance of the fit-again former Chicago Bulls forward.
"Do they have the talent? They do, but injuries have played a part in the lead-up which is never good," the two-time Olympian said.
"Gliddon back surgery, Hodgson injured right now ... I worry.
"But the biggest wildcard is Bairstow.
"Andrej, I assume would have to show something this year to stay in that seat; two wooden spoons doesn't look favourable for him."
The 27-year-old missed all of last season and most of the season before that after severely injuring his knee in his first NBL foray with the Bullets.
The local product has taken the slow and steady approach over winter but according to Lemanis is fit and close to recapturing his best form.
"It's a long way back from a knee injury and one thing to get physically right, the other is just mental," Lemanis said.
"It's been a real process for Bear and it's nice to see him on the other side of it now."
Lemanis, who is also the Australian Boomers coach, believes the Bullets are capable of defying the critics and winning the title this season.
He is no stranger to NBL success, having guided the Breakers to three-straight NBL titles between 2011-13.
"Every year's a new year," he said when asked how the side planned to go from last to first this season.
"I've been on championship teams before and you've no right to win the championship again."
