The Celtics had a good group of fans at the games in Atlanta, and their followers stretched into the upper reaches of management on opposing teams in the league.
"When we're out of it, I'm rooting for the Celtics," said Larry Bird, who now runs the Pacers. "The only time I ever root against them is when we're playing against them. "They're very talented. They've got a lot of great parts. It'll be interesting to see how the young guys play as they get deeper into the playoffs, but they've done a great job all year."
Bird has kept up on the Celtics and likes their prospects.
"I think they're awesome to watch," he said before the Celtics were stunned by the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night, tying the series at two games apiece. "Obviously, their defense is very impressive. They're physical, they're on the ball and they make things happen.
"They've got a legitimate chance to win the whole thing. No question about it."
Kevin McHale, a frontcourt mate of Bird on the last Celtics team to win a championship (1986), is another who believes in the current edition's potential.
"They've got a nice mix," said McHale, the Timberwolves' director of operations who dealt Kevin Garnett to the Celtics. "They've got (James) Posey coming in off a championship and seeing what happened down there with some of the chemistry issues and stuff like that. They've got (Eddie) House coming in saying, 'I make shots. This is what I do.' They've got (Rajon) Rondo trying to prove himself. They've got (Kevin Garnett), Paul (Pierce) and Ray (Allen) hungry and wanting to win. They've got guys that all fit in together. I think they got their veterans at good times in their careers.
"That's a nice, positive combination. But in basketball it's how healthy you are and how you're rolling in May that makes all the difference. The year after Portland won the title in '77, they were like 56-6 -- something utterly ridiculous. Then Bill (Walton) gets hurt and some things happen, and it all goes away."
HAWKS 97, CELTICS 92: Joe Johnson scored 20 of his 25 points in the last quarter as the Hawks came back to shock the Celtics and even this first-round series at two games each.
The Celts finished the third quarter on a 13-2 run to take a 10-point lead into the final frame. But they scored just 17 points on 33-percent shooting in the fourth while Johnson went off -- with help from Josh Smith, who had 12 of his 28 in that period.
"This is a disappointing loss for us," said coach Doc Rivers. "We had our chances tonight, but give the Hawks credit. They made great shots."
The Celtics opened the game with a 16-3 run, but they managed to fall behind 29-24 at the end of the first quarter.
