The Bulls finished the regular season with the best record in the league.
But it remains to be seen how far they can go on a post-season that sees the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers, competing for a three-peat and queen - and aging - the Eastern Conference champion Boston looking for a shot more titles.
The Celtics and Lakers are trying to align their shock third title in four years - a total of 13.
Then in Miami, in search of a crown would be the last of its assertion of free agency established trio of stars, and heads the Western Conference San Antonio, who led the league until a drop of spring left looking vulnerable.
"I'm very curious," said Rose, whose season MVP caliber has pushed the Bulls into the conversation of the title.
"I am even more anxious right now because I've never been in the situation in the NBA, where I'm seeded," said Rose as she looked toward the beginning of the series from the Bulls in the first round against Indiana on Saturday.
"The last two years were always the underdogs, so we'll see how it will go."
Rose became the seventh player in NBA history after an average of at least 25 points, 7.5 assists and four rebounds in a season, joining heavyweights Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan Dwyane Wade and James.
But he knows that in the playoffs is unlikely that a player can deliver a title.
"It's a team thing," said Rose. "Playoffs, you definitely need a team. You can not win in the playoffs for yourself."
That's what James decided when Cleveland chose to resign and join Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, creating an instant title contender.
After some early season problems teething, the Heat have won the second seed in the East and open against Philadelphia on Saturday.
Fourth-seeded Magic, who lost to the Lakers in the 2009 finals, against Atlanta in the first round beginning Saturday.
But despite late-season Celtics struggles, it might be difficult to dislodge the conference champions.
"We know we have things we have to work," said guard Ray Allen in Boston as the team prepared to launch a first-round series against New York on Sunday. "But we are confident that we will be able to solve them."
Certainly, the Celtics showed last year that could meet in the playoffs.
After a disappointing regular season finale, which powers its way to the final and another showdown with the Lakers, which was the maximum seven games.
"Do not let that fool you, as they prepare mentally for the playoffs and the long term," said Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni of the Celtics. "We will get the best."
The Lakers have also shown that it can be escalated in the post-season.
With coach Phil Jackson back on board for a career in Title 12 - sixth with the Lakers after six with Chicago - the Lakers got off to an erratic start.
The team led by superstar Kobe Bryant picked up the pace after the break for the All-Stars, until a run of five defeats in April ended his chance to reach San Antonio's top seed in the West.
Perhaps revealing the Lakers broke the skid with a victory over the Spurs - just a little something for Tim Duncan and San Antonio to remember if both teams reach the conference finals.
First to the Spurs will be the Memphis Grizzlies. Elsewhere in the western city of Oklahoma take Denver and Dallas against Portland.
The Lakers will take on the talented but less experienced Hornets in New Orleans in the first round, which begins Sunday.
And Jackson said: "It's a whole new ballgame with respect to the playoffs."