As the new NBA season approaches, the excitement levels start to rise.

Warriors fans look forward to a promising season, while Heat fans have their fingers crossed, hoping for a three-peat.

Will LeBron James be able to win his third ring, or will San Antonio be able to take the championship this year?

These are  among the many questions fans have heading into the season, which tips off Oct. 30.

The Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs have their first re-match of last year’s championship on Saturday in Miami for a preseason game.

Some believe this could be a preview of the championship once again. Last year, Miami won its second straight title in seven games over the Spurs.

In addition to the excitement around Miami, there are other intriguing NBA stories that fans are following.

The Boston Celtics hired a new coach this year, Brad Stevens, who is only 36 years old. He is the youngest coach in the NBA this season.

The Celtics also lost two of their star players, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, who were part of an offseason trade to the Brooklyn Nets.

Pierce played with the Celtics for 15 years, and Garnett for seven.

It will be interesting to see how fans react to their first appearance back in the Boston Garden, on Oct. 23, for a preseason game.

The Lakers will also be missing one of their stars, Kobe Bryant, who is recovering from an injured Achilles heel that he tore on April 12 last season.

With only one year left on his contract with the Lakers, it is questionable if Kobe will suit up in the purple and gold again since he is scheduled to miss at least half the season.

USA Today reports that Bryant has provided no timeline for his recovery, but he appears to be ahead of schedule.

Hopefully this injury won’t be too much of an obstacle in his career, which is winding down since Kobe is 35.

One of Bryant’s former teammates, Dwight Howard, left the Lakers as a free agent after the 2013 season for the Houston Rockets.

Bryant talked to Howard about his decision and tried to convince him to stay, but Howard had his mind set on Houston.

On the bright side, Golden State Warriors fans are getting pumped for the new season because of the addition of a few new players, such as Andre Iguodala, Toney Douglas, and possibly Seth Curry, who has a non-guaranteed contract.

Curry’s older brother and the Warriors franchise player, Stephen, has provided as much help as possible, and remains confident in his younger brother.

Last year, the Warriors made it to the Western Conference Semifinals after beating the Denver Nuggets in the first round. But Golden State ended up losing to the Spurs in six games.

Warriors fans have even higher expectations this season.

Fanpost.com, a sports predictions website, believes the Miami Heat will win the Eastern Conference for the fourth straight year.  Its biggest challengers are predicted to be the Indiana Pacers and the Chicago Bulls.

In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder are predicted to win, with its biggest tests coming from San Antonio and the Los Angeles Clippers.

I think that in the Western Conference, the finals will be between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors.

In the East, I think it will be the Brooklyn Nets and the Miami Heat.

The NBA finals will be between the Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors. After a long fight, I predict the Warriors will lose to the Heat in six games.

As far as individual awards, I think James will win MVP once again. He’s just the all-around best player.

There may be a little competition from the Thunder’s  Kevin Durant.  But for at least a few more years, James will be the best.

For Rookie of the Year, I think Cleveland’s Anthony Bennett will win. He’s looking like a strong player, and hopefully will exceed expectations.