Ex-Celtics player, coach Ford dies

Chris Ford, a member of the Celtics’ 1981 championship team, a longtime NBA coach and the player credited with scoring the league’s first 3-point basket, has died Tuesday, his family announced Wednesday in a statement. He was 74. No official cause was given. The Press of Atlantic City reported he died after suffering a heart attack earlier this month. Ford was voted the team’s MVP in his first season with the Celtics. He retired following the 1981-82 season and was an assistant coach for seven seasons from 1983 to 1990, helping coach former teammates Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish to two titles in 1984 and 1986 while serving under coach K.C. Jones. He’s one of four former Celtics to have won championships as both a player and coach, joining Bill Russell, Tom Heinsohn and Jones. Ford succeeded Jimmy Rodgers as Celtics head coach and led the team for five seasons from 1990-91 through 1994-95. He compiled a 222-188 record with four playoff appearances during his tenure. Ford also had a pair of two-year head coaching stints with the Bucks (1996-98) and Clippers (1998-2000). He began the 2003-04 season as an assistant for the 76ers and coached the final 30 games that season after Randy Ayers was fired.