The Boston Celtics and the entire NBA community are mourning the loss and celebrating the life of former Boston player and head coach Chris Ford. The New Jersey native won multiple NBA titles as a player and a coach, and famously sank the first 3-point shot in league history.
Ford was drafted by the Detroit Pistons 17th overall in the 1972 NBA draft. He was traded to the Celtics in 1978. He won a championship with Boston in 1981 before retiring the following year. Ford won two more titles with the Celtics as an assistant coach and eventually served as head coach in the early 1990s.
Though Ford wasn’t the flashiest of players or the biggest of stars, he was a critical role player for the ’80-81 Celtics. As a starter, he averaged 8.9 points and 2 rebounds per contest. Ford stepped up when his club needed him, however.
Ford helped power the Celtics to victory during Game 3 of the NBA Finals in 1981. On a night Larry Bird managed just 8 points, Ford scored 17 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. He and Cedric Maxwell led the charge for Boston, helping the team grab a crucial win on the road.
You can check out Chris Ford’s Game 3 highlights from the 1981 Finals here:
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