According to Australian bookmakers, they wouldn't even finish in the top six.
They did, and they now stand on the verge of creating something truly special. The New Zealand Breakers won a second-straight ANBL title in Auckland last night and, with most of their squad returning for another season in 2012-13, could conceivably do it again.
Last night's win was well short of a vintage performance - it was too scrappy for that - but it has been a vintage year. When CJ Bruton nailed a long-range three-pointer to establish a 71-64 lead with only 1min 51sec remaining, another title was in the bag. He added another in the final minute just in case there was any doubt.
It was a telling contribution from a player who has now won five championship rings. The 36-year-old recently signed on for another two years and, knowing his approach to the game, will see no reason why he can't snaffle another two before he finally hangs up the basketball boots.
He might talk a good game but he can also produce it when it really matters and was rewarded with the final MVP award. Not bad for a guy who seemed on the verge of retirement at the end of last year because of a couple of painful knees.
"He's Mr Big Balls," Breakers forward Mika Vukona said.
"He knows when to take the right shots. He took them and they came off."
He wasn't the only one to come up with big plays.
Gary Wilkinson also chimed in with a game-high 23 points, Cedric Jackson rattled off 12 assists, Vukona pulled down seven rebounds and Alex Pledger contributed 13 crucial points off the bench.
Tom Abercrombie, whose participation in the finals series was the subject of such interest because of his dodgy ankle, reminded everyone of his class with an emphatic block on Shawn Redhage in the dying seconds.
"Winning it the first time is so bloody tough, but winning it back-to-back is even tougher," forward Dillon Boucher said.
"We had a target on our back all year and even throughout the finals series.
It was labelled as one of the best finals series ever and being a part of it was special."
Given game one went to overtime and the second was decided by only one point, it was inevitable the match would be close. It didn't mean it was pretty viewing as both sides struggled to find their range or turned the ball over with regularity, but it was a reflection of the high stakes.
Strange things can happen when titles are on the line.
Perth led 41-39 at halftime but could muster only 13 points in the third quarter as it lost its nerve and the Breakers upped their defensive intensity. The visitors also got into foul trouble as their frustrations mounted and could feel the championship slip away.
They did well to level things 62-62 with seven minutes remaining but it only served to set the stage for Bruton.
"This is one of those moments I will never forget," he said, clutching a pair of scissors to take the first snip of the ceremonial cutting down of the nets.
"Back-to-back is special. Not many teams have done that."
The Breakers are the sixth in ANBL history, in fact, but they have already switched their attentions to a three-peat.
Wilkinson celebrated at the final whistle in the way only he knows - by sprinting around the court. It was the one sight the Perth players didn't want to see.
Few would bet against it happening again.
NBL grand final
Game three scores
New Zealand Breakers - 79
Gary Wilkinson 23, CJ Bruton 16, Alex Pledger 13, Tom Abercrombie 12
Perth Wildcats - 73
Shawn Redhage 18, Matt Knight 17, Kevin Lisch 15
Halftime: 39-41
New Zealand Breakers win the finals series 2-1
