List of NBA annual steals leaders
In basketball, a steal is a "defensive action" that causes the opponent to turn the ball over.[1] The National Basketball Association's (NBA) steal title is awarded to the player with the highest steals per game average in a given season. The steal title was first recognized in the 1973–74 season when statistics on steals were first compiled.[2] To qualify for the steal title, the player must appear in at least 70 games (out of 82) or have at least 125 steals. This has been the entry criteria since the 1974–75 season.[3]
Alvin Robertson holds the all-time records for total steals (301) and steals per game (3.67) in a season; achieved in the 1985–86 season. Among active players, Chris Paul had the highest season steal total (217) in the 2007–08 season and the highest season steal average (2.77) in the 2008–09 season.
Paul has won the most steal titles, with six. Micheal Ray Richardson, Robertson, Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson all follow with three. Magic Johnson, Mookie Blaylock, Baron Davis and John Stockton are the only other players to win more than one steal title, with two. Paul has won the most consecutive steal titles, with four.[2] Four players have won both the steal title and the NBA championship in the same season: Rick Barry in 1975 with the Golden State Warriors, Magic Johnson in 1982 with the Los Angeles Lakers, Michael Jordan in 1993 with the Chicago Bulls and Draymond Green in 2017 with the Golden State Warriors.
Key
^ | Denotes player who is still active in the NBA | |||||
* | Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame | |||||
Player (X) | Denotes the number of times the player had been the steals leader up to and including that season | |||||
G | Guard | F | Forward | C | Center |
Steal leaders
Multiple-time leaders
Ranking | Player | Team | Times leader | Years |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chris Paul | New Orleans Hornets (3) / Los Angeles Clippers (3) | 6 | 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 |
2 | Allen Iverson Michael Jordan Micheal Ray Richardson Alvin Robertson |
Philadelphia 76ers Chicago Bulls New York Knicks (1) / Golden State Warriors / New Jersey Nets (1) / New Jersey Nets (1) San Antonio Spurs (2) / Milwaukee Bucks (1) |
3 | 2001, 2002, 2003 1988, 1990, 1993 1980, 1983, 1985 1986, 1987, 1991 |
6 | Mookie Blaylock Baron Davis Magic Johnson John Stockton |
Atlanta Hawks New Orleans Hornets (1) / Golden State Warriors (1) Los Angeles Lakers Utah Jazz |
2 | 1997, 1998 2004, 2007 1981, 1982 1989, 1992 |
Notes
- ^ The player's primary position is listed first.
- ^ In the 1978–79 season, Eddie Jordan and Norm Nixon both had the highest steal total (201) but they were tied for second in steal average (2.45).[14]
- ^ In the 1980–81 season, Magic Johnson had only played in 37 games and ranked seventeenth in steal total. Micheal Ray Richardson had the highest total (232).[18]
- ^ In the 1981–82 season, Maurice Cheeks had the highest steal total (209) but was second in steal average (2.65).[20]
- ^ In the 1982–83 season, Micheal Ray Richardson had only played in 64 games and ranked sixth in steal total. Rickey Green had the highest total (220).[21]
- ^ In the 1997–98 season, Mookie Blaylock had only played in 70 games and ranked fourth in steal total. Brevin Knight had the highest total (196).[44]
- ^ The 1998–99 season was shortened to 50 games due to the league's lockout.[45] The qualification of this season's steal title is to appear in at least 43 games (out of 50) or to have at least 76 steals.[3]
- ^ In the 2000–01 season, Doug Christie had the highest steal total (183) but was third in steal average (2.26).[50]
- ^ In the 2001–02 season, Jason Kidd had the highest steal total (175) but was third in steal average (2.13).[52]
- ^ In the 2003–04 season, Shawn Marion had the highest steal total (167) but was second in steal average (2.11).[54]
- ^ In the 2004–05 season, Allen Iverson had the highest steal total (180) but was second in steal average (2.40).[56]
- ^ In the 2005–06 season, Gerald Wallace had only played in 55 games and ranked tenth in steal total. Chris Paul had the highest total (175).[58]
- ^ In the 2006–07 season, Baron Davis had only played in 63 games and ranked sixth in steal total. Shawn Marion had the highest total (156).[60]
- ^ The 2011–12 season was shortened to 66 games due to the league's lockout.[64] The qualification of this season's steal title is to appear in at least 57 games (out of 66) or to have at least 101 steals.[3]
- ^ In the 2012–13 season, Mike Conley, Jr. had the highest steal total (174) but was third in steal average (2.2).[65]
- ^ In the 2013–14 season, Ricky Rubio and Thaddeus Young both had higher steal totals (190 and 167 respectively) but they were second and third in steal average (2.3 and 2.1), respectively.[66]
- ^ In the 2014–15 season, Stephen Curry had the highest steal total (163) but was third in steal average tied with Tony Allen (2.0).
References
- General
- "Yearly Leaders and Records for Steals Per Game". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- Specific
- ^ "Basketball glossary". FIBA.com. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
- ^ a b "Regular Season Records: Steals". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Rate Statistic Requirements". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1973–74". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Larry Steele Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1974–75". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Rick Barry Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1975–76". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Slick Watts Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1976–77". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Don Buse Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1977–78". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Ron Lee Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "League Leaders: Steals – 1978–79". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "M.L. Carr Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1979–80". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Micheal Ray Richardson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "League Leaders: Steals – 1980–81". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "Magic Johnson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "League Leaders: Steals – 1981–82". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "League Leaders: Steals – 1982–83". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1983–84". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Rickey Green Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1984–85". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1985–86". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Alvin Robertson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1986–87". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1987–88". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Michael Jordan Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1988–89". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "John Stockton Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1989–90". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1990–91". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1991–92". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1992–93". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1993–94". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Nate McMillan Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1994–95". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Scottie Pippen Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1995–96". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Gary Payton Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1996–97". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "Mookie Blaylock Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "League Leaders: Steals – 1997–98". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ Beck, Howard (February 14, 2009). "N.B.A. and Union Are Discussing New Labor Deal". The New York Times. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1998–99". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Kendall Gill Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 1999–2000". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Eddie Jones Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "League Leaders: Steals – 2000–01". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Allen Iverson Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "League Leaders: Steals – 2001–02". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 2002–03". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "League Leaders: Steals – 2003–04". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "Baron Davis Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "League Leaders: Steals – 2004–05". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Larry Hughes Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "League Leaders: Steals – 2005–06". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Gerald Wallace Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b "League Leaders: Steals – 2006–07". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "League Leaders: Steals – 2007–08". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f "Chris Paul Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
- ^ "Rajon Rondo Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
- ^ Beck, Howard (November 28, 2011). "Two Exhibition Games for N.B.A. Teams". The New York Times. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
- ^ "2012-13 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ "2013-14 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2014.
- ^ "2014-15 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
- ^ "2015-16 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ^ "2016-17 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 14, 2017.