The NBA apparently really enjoyed watching the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls slug it out in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Derrick Rose and his Bulls will have a handful in the 2013-2014 Season Opener as they will travel to the American Airlines Arena to face the defending champions. Rose is expected to suit up, this time, he'll be leaving the suit and tie in the locker room. 

Rose was ridiculed throughout the playoffs as many wondered if the 2011 NBA MVP would make his return. Guys like Metta World Peace and Kobe Bryant suffered injuries and were back on the court in no time. Well, Bryant took free throws after his Achilles popped, while World Peace went through surgery for a torn meniscus and returned after just 12 days. World Peace was supposed to take six weeks, but proving to be a soldier, he was back on the court as the Los Angeles Lakers were also banged up.

The Bulls had battled to advance to the conference semis. They beat the Brooklyn Nets in a Game 7 that was not close. Taking that momentum to South Beach, Chicago bullied the Heat, winning Game 1, but that was all they were given. LeBron James and the Heat stepped up to the occasion, proving why they were the defending champions. 

Who knows what would have happened had Rose been in the starting lineup? Rose could have led the Bulls to victory. They could have lost. He could have reinjured his ACL. The point is that now, the Bulls should be ready to challenge the Heat all season long. They stayed with their core of Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer despite rumors of trades involving these three stars. 

Join us here at Sports World Report where we will bring you predictions, live streams and scoring updates as the NBA season opener is only about 80 days away. Hang in there!