Today the NBA officially announced that Chris Ford, a legendary Boston Celtics player, three-time championship ring winner, and the first three-point shot in league history, died on January 17, 2023 at the age of 74 (1949-2023).
Chris Ford graduated from Villanova University and began his career with the Detroit Pistons in 1972. He is 1.96m tall and plays as a shooting guard. He spent seven seasons with the Pistons averaging 9.2 points, 3.0 boards and 3.4 assists per game.
However, he was traded to Celtic in 1978 and really began his career.
He scored 15.6 points per game in his first year and became a regular in his shooting, winning the team's 14th championship in 1980–81 with Larry Bird.
He retired in 1982 and joined the Celtic coaching staff, winning the 1984–'86 championship with the team.
He succeeded Jimmy Rodgers as the 11th head coach in Celtics history in 1990–91 , accompanying veteran teammate Larry Bird through the final two seasons of his career.
He spent five seasons with the Celtics before coaching the Bucks, Clippers and 76ers, winning 323 and losing 376 for his entire coaching career.
But he is most legendary when he made the first three-pointer in NBA history against the Houston Rockets in the NBA opener on November 12, 1979, becoming a permanent dividing line in league history.
The legend lives on, Respect.