Former Boston Celtics player and mentor Chris Ford, who designed first 3-pointer in the NBA, dies at age 74
Previous NBA champion participant and coach Chris Ford, who rose to prominence for the duration of his time with the Boston Celtics, has died at the age of 74, his spouse and children introduced.
In accordance to the household, Ford died Tuesday. His family members unveiled a statement that mirrored on Ford’s appreciation for the Celtics and the Boston community.
“Chris was beloved by his relatives, mates and teammates. He had a excellent love for his loved ones, the town of Boston, the fans and the total Celtics spouse and children,” the spouse and children statement mentioned. “He generally showed humility and respect for all people that had been lucky ample to be a portion of his lifestyle.”
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Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics for the duration of a match performed in 1982 at the Boston Back garden in Boston.
(Dick Raphael/NBAE by way of Getty Images)
Ford performed for the Celtics from 1978-1982 and received a title with the staff in 1981.
“As a participant and mentor, Chris Ford’s vocation spanned around a ten years of Celtics basketball, and he built his mark each and every step of the way,” the group said in a assertion. “‘Doc,’ as he was affectionately identified by his teammates, was a fundamentally adaptable all-all-around guard. … The Boston Celtics sends their deepest sympathies to the Ford family and their many buddies.”
Immediately after Ford retired, he transitioned to coaching and worked as Boston’s assistant mentor for seven seasons. He assisted information the Celtics to championships in 1984 and 1986 during his time as an assistant mentor beneath mentor K.C. Jones.
In 1990, Ford was named the Celtics head coach, a place he held until 1995.
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Three other previous Celtics players won championships as a participant and a mentor — Monthly bill Russell, Tom Heinsohn and Jones.
Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket from Darwin Prepare dinner of the New Jersey Nets through a activity performed in 1981 at the Boston Back garden in Boston.
(Dick Raphael/NBAE by using Getty Photographs)
Ford played higher education basketball at Villanova and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1972.
After 6 seasons, the Pistons traded Ford to Boston. He averaged a occupation-substantial 15.6 factors and 4.7 helps per activity his very first season with the Celtics in 1978-79.
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Ford opened the pursuing season on Oct. 12, 1979, by building the 1st 3-position shot in NBA history in a game from the Houston Rockets.
Head mentor Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics coaches in the course of an NBA video game versus the Philadelphia 76ers at the Spectrum in Philadelphia on April 18, 1991.
(Bruce Bennett Studios through Getty Photographs Studios/Getty Illustrations or photos)
He compiled a 222-188 history with four playoff appearances as Boston’s head mentor, but his groups by no means highly developed outside of the convention finals.
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Ford had a pair of two-calendar year head-coaching stints with the Milwaukee Bucks from 1996-98 and the Los Angeles Clippers from 1998-2000. He also served as an interim head coach for the Philadelphia 76ers for the duration of the 2003-04 period.
Ford’s result in of loss of life was not right away recognized.
The Connected Push contributed to this report.
