Philadelphia Phillies sportscaster Harry Kalas used to sing the song "High Hopes."

That's the perfect song for the Philadelphia 76ers, who begin the start of the NBA season on Wednesday.

With the Philadelphia Eagles struggling, the Phillies out of the playoffs and no hockey for the Flyers, the Sixers might be the proud son of the city. In other words, they might get lots of brotherly love.

Even with star center Andrew Bynum sitting out the start with banged up knees, the Sixers team is perhaps the most talented and deepest in several years.

The Sixers did a great job during the off-season acquiring key talent. They only return five players from last year's roster.

But those five are key: Point Guard Jrue Holiday is a rising star, forward/center Spencer Hawes has that Philly lunchbox work ethic, center/forward Lavoy Allen keeps getting better, forward Thadeus Young is a rebounding stud and Evan Turner is ready to grab the mantle from the traded Andre Inguadala.

Shooter Nick Young steps in for the departed Lou Williams and is probably even more of a scoring machine.

Bynum, when healthy, will remind people of what it's like to have a center -- the first true big man on this team since Moses Malone.

Guard Jason Richardson will blend a nice shooting touch with sound team leadership as the team veteran.

And forward Dorell Wright is going to open a lot of eyes with his versatility.

Throw in rookies Maalik Wayns and Arnett Moultrie are going to blossom.

So the enthusiasm is going through the roof for a team that nearly knocked out the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs last year.

There's no saying, that with this talent, the Sixers could give Philadelphia something it sorely misses and needs: A championship.