National Basketball Association

Kevin Love says step-overs are 'looked at as a form of disrespect'

Published Jun. 13, 2016 12:20 a.m. ET

foxsports

Was LeBron James merely trying to get back on defense as quickly as possible when he stepped over Draymond Green toward the end of Game 4? Or was it more of a disrespectful move that called for some sort of retaliation?

Charles Barkley said Green was "morally obligated" to take a swipe at LeBron. Kevin Love didn't go that far but he did admit that step-over moves aren't an accident.

"You don't see it too much, but yeah, I think it is looked at as a form of disrespect," Love said Sunday. "But I don't know. It's seldom seen. That's tough to answer. I don't know."

The officials did not rule Green's actions as a flagrant foul during the game, but the league reviewed the footage and handed Green a Flagrant 1 for hitting James in the groin. Green, who has four flagrant foul points in the playoffs, now has to sit out Game 5 on Monday, when the Warriors have a chance to capture their second consecutive title.

LeBron James & Draymond Green had to be separated after getting tangled up late in the 4th quarter. https://t.co/VPtb7UTAHM
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 11, 2016

Probably the most memorable step-over move was when Allen Iverson crossed over current Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue during Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals. Lue fell after trying to close out on Iverson's shot. The 76ers icon took an exaggerated step over Lue, who was still on the floor.