The hero Brisbane hoops fans needed is finally here

• All 165 games of the NBL27 season in one list
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He might be Lithuanian but Arnas Velicka already has Brisbane sports fans considering him one of their own.

The point guard, who broke the record for most assists by a player making his NBL debut in the Bullets' 88-85 season-opening win over the New Zealand Breakers, is the type of talent the franchise has been crying out for since their long-awaited return in 2016.

Velicka is someone that can put the team on his back and enjoys the responsibility and he did it under the bright lights of Brisbane's first game at Pat Rafter Arena in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 5000 fans.

It was the perfect start for the Bullets under new coach Will Weaver and justification for his unique decision to bring in a European point guard in Velicka.

Weaver summed up the 26-year-old's performance in the post-game press conference.

"He might be from a long way away, but I don’t know anybody that embodies the Queensland spirit more," Weaver said about Velicka.

Not only did Velicka dominate himself with 23 points, including five triples, but he unlocked big man Tyrell Harrison with seven of his 14 assists going to the centre. But the biggest asset may have been his leadership from the point guard position, something the Bullets haven't had for years.

Velicka stepped up when the team was down double digits and then made the big plays when needed and controlled the game to lead the Bullets to an important victory in the new era under Weaver.

He looks like he's endeared himself to his teammates as well after they all celebrated his performance with him during his post-game interview on court.

"He’s a complete player, and more importantly to me, he’s an incredible teammate, incredible competitor," Weaver said.

The standout performance seemed to be the start of an incredible relationship with Bullets fans Velicka, who couldn't have been more impressed with the support in his debut in blue and yellow.

“I felt like from the start of the game, even hours before the game, it was a packed arena," he said in the post-game press conference.

"I was really impressed and really proud for the city and the guys in the team."

Weaver was also proud of the effort his team played with, particularly the toughness they showed when things weren’t going their way and their attention to detail on the offensive glass, two areas which are key to the program the former Sydney Kings coach is building in Brisbane.

“This city loves basketball…and I am a firm believer that if we build it, they will come," Weaver said.

"And it looks like tenacity, competitiveness, mateship, camaraderie, commitment, focus. Those are the values that we’re trying to embody”.

While it is only one game, there was a noticeable difference in the positivity among the crowd, players and staff.

The focus on character and effort, and connection with the Brisbane basketball community were evident not only in the teams performance but also the excitement about the playing group and what could be for the Bullets this season.

Jon Guarna has been the voice of Brisbane basketball for more than 15 years as the lead commentator for the NBL1 North, previously the Queensland Basketball League. He has also been a sideline reporter previously in the NBL.