HOUSTON — With news of the passing of former NFL icon and actor O.J. Simpson, Houston Rockets fans will remember how his infamous chase in a white Ford Bronco overshadowed the team’s Game 5 match-up against the New York Knicks in the 1994 NBA Finals.
The chase involving Simpson was shown on TV simultaneously as the game was being played. It was a pivotal Game 5 with the series tied at two games apiece.
However, viewers at home were not the only ones watching what was happening in Los Angeles.
RELATED: Family: O.J. Simpson dead at 76
According to a report from USA Today, former Rockets point guard and current NBA analyst Kenny Smith said during a TNT luncheon back in 2016 that he remembered catching what was happening on one of the TVs near the bench.
“I go in the huddle, I’m like, ‘O.J.’s on the run!’ … Then (head coach) Rudy (Tomjanovich) comes into the huddle and we’re all talking.
“’What are you guys doing?’” Tomjanovich asked.
“’O.J.’s on the run!’” Smith said.
“’What are you doing? We’re in the middle of the NBA Finals!’” Tomjanovich told them.
“He draws a play up, we start walking out and he pulls me back, (and asks,) “Is he really on the run?” Smith said.
The Rockets would go on to lose Game 5, 91-84, but went on to claim their first of two back-to-back NBA titles after winning Games 6 and 7.
