Sad news from the NBA with the announcement that former NBA player and Head Coach Chris Ford has passed away at the age of 74 years old. Ford was drafted out of Villanova in the 1972 NBA Draft in the second round by the Detroit Pistons. As a player, Ford played for the Detroit Pistons from 1972 to 1978 and then played with the Boston Celtics from 1978 to 1982. He then jumped right into coaching and served as the Head Coach of the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers. His final year coaching in the NBA was in 2004.
As a player and coach, Chris Ford’s career spanned over a decade of Celtics basketball, and he made his mark every step of the way. (1/5) pic.twitter.com/1A6TRZUe4p
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 18, 2023
As a player in the NBA with the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, Chris Ford averaged 9.2 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. He was also on the Boston Celtics when they won the 1981 NBA Championship. As a Head Coach, he was a 1991 All-Star Game Head Coach. He also won the 1984 NBA Championship and the 1986 NBA Championship as an assistant coach for the Boston Celtics.
The Detroit Pistons are saddened by the passing of Chris Ford, a member of the franchise’s Top-50 celebrated during the team’s 50th anniversary. Our thoughts are with Ford’s family, teammates and friends. pic.twitter.com/K6lshepskE
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) January 18, 2023
Chris Ford is also credited with making the first counted NBA three-point shot on October, 12th, 1979. The player and coach was a member of the NBA for decades and will be missed by the league. We here at Def Pen Sports offer our condolences to his family and friends at this time.
