During Game 4 of the NBA Finals, ESPN promoted their upcoming 30-for-30 documentary on the O.J. Simpson trial. Following NBA play-by-play announcer Mike Breen's promo, Jeff Van Gundy told an incredible story told to him by Pat Riley. Van Gundy was an assistant for Riley with the Knicks vs. the Rockets in the 1994 Finals, when the infamous Simpson chase happened during Game 5, pre-empting the broadcast in spots and running in a box in the corner of then-broadcaster NBC.
From Van Gundy, via ABC:
"Mike, I'm always reminded when I was an assistant with the Knicks in 94, the O.J. Chase happened in Game 5. And we ended up losing to the Rockets.
"That summer Pat Riley always went back to L.A. He had a house there. He ran into the driver of the car, A.C. Cowlings, at a car wash. They both were getting their cars detailed. A.C. Cowling knew Coach Riley peripherally, waved him over, and proceeded to tell him the story of why they were driving so slow was, O.J. wanted to hear the end of (Game 5) on the radio before he pulled in.
"When coach Riley told us that story, I was mesmerized by what goes on. I could just see him having a gun to his head and saying 'Turn up the radio, A.C. so I can hear the last few minutes.'"
Cowlings was actually charged with felony aiding of a fugitive but the district attorney decided not to pursue the case based on a lack of evidence. He has stayed out of the spotlight since.
For more on the O.J. Simpson case fallout, which continues to this day, check out this recent story.
