<P> In the 1979 -- 80 season , after having tested it in the previous pre-season , the NBA adopted the three - point line despite the view of many that it was a gimmick . Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics is widely credited with making the first three - point shot in NBA history on October 12 , 1979 , a game more noted for the debut of Larry Bird ( and two new head coaches ) . Rick Barry of the Houston Rockets , in his final season , also made one in the same game , and Kevin Grevey of the Washington Bullets made one that Friday night as well . </P>
<P> In the 1979 -- 80 season , after having tested it in the previous pre-season , the NBA adopted the three - point line despite the view of many that it was a gimmick . Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics is widely credited with making the first three - point shot in NBA history on October 12 , 1979 , a game more noted for the debut of Larry Bird ( and two new head coaches ) . Rick Barry of the Houston Rockets , in his final season , also made one in the same game , and Kevin Grevey of the Washington Bullets made one that Friday night as well . </P>
when was the 3 point line added in nba
when was the 3 point line added in nba
the 1979 -- 80 season
the 1979 -- 80 season