So true ! In fact as a 14 year old Celtics fan going into the 87 Playoffs it was Atlanta I was more afraid of then Detroit. I was actually expecting to play Atlanta in the 87 ECF not Detroit. Atlanta had won 57 games to Detroit's 52. The Celtics had to beat Atlanta on the final day of the 87 regular season to clinch home court. It really wasn't until game 3 of the 87 ECF when I thought - oh shit Detroit is no joke. But when you think of 87 and 88. It is not a reach to say that it could have been Atlanta vs LA in the Finals in 88 if it weren't for Bird and his performance in game 7. Atlanta just couldn't get over that hump

Still wonder what would've happened if he didn't get traded in 94', I don't think they would have lost to Indiana or it would have gone 7 and not 6 games. Indiana did have a hell of a postseason that year though.