No-one expected much from the Nuggets last year but that has all changed this season.
Wright is partly responsible for that added pressure, of course. He combined with Antoine Tisby to form the most potent import combination in the league last year.
The pair regularly combined for 40-plus points a match and 16-odd rebounds to lift the Nuggets from their regular spot at the foot of the competition table.
Seventh was an improvement but the team would be mightily disappointed with a similar effort this season.
And Wright believes the franchise has assembled a roster capable of delivering a championship.
He nearly was not part of it. The Nuggets were desperate to get the hard-working all-rounder back but had exhausted their resources.
A last-ditch fundraising drive secured the additional funds and Wright arrived in Dunedin on Friday morning with 30-odd hours to spare before the Nuggets opening game against the Super City Rangers. He cast aside jet lag to score 19 points and contribute to a comprehensive 111-77 win.
Wright had flown from Phoenix in Arizona and had been playing in the Canadian League. He also had a stint in Israel after playing for the Nuggets.
''I never thought I would have come to New Zealand until I got the opportunity last year. To come back again is a blessing.
''It is different this time, because the expectations are different. Last year, it was about seeing how many games we could win.
''This year, with the team they've put together, we need to make the playoffs.
''We need to make a good run at this because there is too much talent on this team not to.''
The Nuggets recruited well during the off-season, adding experienced players Hayden Allen and Brendon Polyblank.
BJ Anthony signed with the Nuggets last season but was sidelined with an injury. He has returned this year and was dynamic with 34 points and 12 rebounds. He was named player of the week for his effort.
Allen and Mark Dickel form the most experienced guard line in the competition and the Nuggets have an impressive forward line in Tisby, Anthony and Wright. With Polyblank coming off the bench with back-up from Riki Buckrell and James Ross, the Nuggets have the sort of depth which they have sorely lacked in the past.
''Last year it was me and Tis doing the bulk of the scoring and playing heavy minutes. This team is loaded and, on any given night, any of these guys can score 20 or 30 points and that just makes everything easy.
''This team has that dynamic where we have a lot of guys we can go to.''
