Career Steals Production

Measures a player's career steals output, reflecting their ability to create turnovers and disrupt passing lanes. Steals per game is the primary metric, complemented by career total steals. Active hands, anticipation, and gambling instincts drive this factor. Guards typically lead in steals due to their role defending ball-handlers, but elite wing defenders can also rank highly.

487entities ranked

Used in:VI

Career Steals Production Leaderboard

#	Entity	Score	Reasoning
	John Stocktonplayer	100	Stockton averaged 2.17 SPG over his career with 3,265 total steals (all-time leader). He won 2 steals titles and was the most prolific steal artist in NBA history, earning maximum score as an all-time steals legend.
	Alvin Robertsonplayer	98	Robertson averaged 2.7 SPG over his career and holds the single-season record with 3.67 SPG in 1985-86. He led the league in steals three times and is among the all-time leaders, placing him in the all-time steals legend tier.
	Gary Paytonplayer	96	Payton averaged 1.8 SPG over his career with 2,445 total steals (4th all-time). He was one of the most disruptive perimeter defenders ever, earning the nickname 'The Glove.'
4	Chris Paulplayer	95	Paul averages 2.1 SPG over his career with 2,600+ total steals (4th all-time). He's led the league in steals 6 times and is one of the greatest ball thieves in NBA history.
4	Don Buseplayer	95	Buse averaged 2.5 SPG over his career and led the NBA in steals three times (1977, 1978, 1979). He was one of the greatest ball-thieves in NBA history, ranking among the all-time leaders in steals per game.
6	Michael Jordanplayer	91	Jordan averaged 2.35 SPG over his career with 2,514 total steals (3rd all-time at retirement). He won 3 steals titles and was one of the most disruptive perimeter defenders ever. This matches the anchor score provided.
7	Jason Kiddplayer	89	Kidd averaged 1.9 SPG over his career with 2,684 total steals (2nd all-time). He was one of the most disruptive perimeter defenders ever, placing him in the elite ball thief tier.
8	Andrei Kirilenkoplayer	88	Kirilenko averaged 1.8 SPG over his career with 1,244 total steals. This places him in the outstanding steals range (78-87), as he was one of the most disruptive perimeter defenders of his era with exceptional anticipation.
8	Scottie Pippenplayer	88	Pippen averaged 2.0 SPG over his career with 2,307 total steals, ranking 8th all-time. He led the league in steals in 1995 and was one of the most disruptive perimeter defenders ever, placing him in the elite ball thief tier.
8	Hakeem Olajuwonplayer	88	Olajuwon averaged 1.75 SPG over his career with 2,162 total steals, exceptional for a center and placing him in the outstanding steals range well below Jordan's elite 2.35 SPG (91).
8	Allen Iversonplayer	88	Iverson averaged 2.2 SPG over his career with 1,983 total steals, leading the league in steals three times. He was one of the most disruptive ball-hawks in NBA history, placing him in the elite range.
12	Kobe Bryantplayer	85	Kobe averaged 1.4 SPG over his career with 1,944 total steals. This places him in the outstanding steals range, showing his active hands and perimeter defense skills.
12	Walt Frazierplayer	85	Frazier averaged 1.9 SPG during the seasons where steals were tracked (1973-1980) and was renowned as one of the greatest ball thieves in NBA history. His anticipation and quick hands made him a legendary perimeter defender, placing him in the outstanding steals tier.
12	Isiah Thomasplayer	85	Thomas averaged 1.9 SPG over his career with 1,861 total steals. He was consistently among league leaders and finished 9th all-time in steals, placing him in the outstanding range.
12	Sidney Moncriefplayer	85	Moncrief averaged 1.7 steals per game over his career with 1,366 total steals. He led the league in steals in 1986 and was consistently among the elite perimeter defenders, placing him in the outstanding steals tier.
16	Tari Easonplayer	82	Eason averages around 1.9 SPG in his career, demonstrating excellent ball-hawking ability and active hands that make him a disruptive perimeter defender.
16	Dwyane Wadeplayer	82	Wade averaged 1.5 SPG over his career with 1,492 total steals. This places him in the 'Outstanding Steals' tier, as he was consistently among the league's best ball-hawking guards with active, disruptive hands throughout his prime.
16	Clyde Drexlerplayer	82	Drexler averaged 2.0 SPG over his career with 2,207 total steals (8th all-time at retirement). He was one of the most disruptive perimeter defenders of his era, consistently among league leaders in steals.
16	Kawhi Leonardplayer	82	Leonard averages approximately 1.8 SPG over his career with around 1,500 total steals. His active hands and anticipation make him one of the premier perimeter defenders, placing him in the outstanding steals tier.
16	Magic Johnsonplayer	82	Magic averaged 1.9 SPG over his career with 1,724 total steals. This places him in the outstanding steals range, showing his anticipation and court awareness despite other defensive limitations.
16	Dennis Johnsonplayer	82	Johnson averaged 1.7 SPG over his career with 2,207 total steals. He was known as one of the premier perimeter defenders of the 1980s with excellent anticipation and ball-hawking ability.
16	Victor Wembanyamaplayer	82	Wembanyama averaged 1.2 SPG in his rookie season, which is outstanding for a 7'4" center. His unique combination of length and mobility allows him to disrupt passing lanes exceptionally well.
16	Draymond Greenplayer	82	Green averages approximately 1.4 SPG over his career with around 1,200 total steals. This places him in the 'Strong Steals' tier (1.3-1.8 SPG), reflecting his exceptional anticipation and active hands as a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions.
24	Paul Georgeplayer	78	George averages 1.7 SPG over his career with approximately 1,550 total steals. This places him in the outstanding steals tier as an active, disruptive perimeter defender who consistently generates turnovers.
24	Ricky Rubioplayer	78	Rubio averaged 1.8 SPG over his career, consistently ranking among the better ball-hawking point guards with excellent anticipation and active hands.
24	LaMelo Ballplayer	78	Ball averages approximately 1.8 SPG for his career. His size, length, and anticipation make him an active ball-hawk who consistently disrupts passing lanes.
24	Shawn Marionplayer	78	Marion averaged 1.9 SPG over his career with 2,220 total steals. This is outstanding steal production, placing him in the 1.7-2.2 SPG range.
24	Bobby Jonesplayer	78	Jones averaged approximately 1.8 SPG over his career, placing him in the 78-87 'Outstanding Steals' range. He was consistently among the league leaders in steals and was known for his active hands and anticipation.
24	Russell Westbrookplayer	78	Westbrook averaged 1.6 SPG over his career with 2,400+ total steals. His aggressive style and quick hands made him consistently among the league's better ball thieves throughout his prime.
24	Jimmy Butlerplayer	78	Butler averages 1.8 SPG over his career with over 1,300 total steals. This places him in the outstanding steals tier (1.7-2.2 SPG = 78-87), reflecting his elite perimeter defense and active hands throughout his career.
24	LeBron Jamesplayer	78	LeBron averages 1.6 SPG over his career with 2,200+ total steals. He was consistently among league leaders during his prime and was an active, disruptive perimeter defender.
24	Rick Barryplayer	78	Barry averaged approximately 1.7 SPG during tracked seasons and was known for his anticipation and basketball IQ, placing him in the outstanding steals range.
24	Larry Birdplayer	78	Bird averaged 1.7 SPG over his career with 1,556 total steals. This places him in the outstanding steals range, showing excellent anticipation and defensive instincts for a forward.
24	Dyson Danielsplayer	78	Daniels averages approximately 1.8 SPG in his early career, showing exceptional ball-hawking ability and active hands. This is outstanding steal production that places him among the better perimeter disruptors.
24	Kevin Garnettplayer	78	Garnett averaged 1.3 SPG over his career with 1,859 total steals. For a big man, this demonstrates exceptional defensive instincts and perimeter awareness.
24	Amen Thompsonplayer	78	Thompson averages approximately 1.8 SPG in his early career, showing elite ball-hawking ability and defensive instincts that place him in the outstanding steals category.
24	Bam Adebayoplayer	78	Adebayo averages approximately 1.2 SPG for his career through 2023-24. For a center, this is exceptionally impressive and places him in the 'Outstanding Steals' range, showing rare perimeter defensive ability for his position.
24	Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderplayer	78	SGA averages 1.7 SPG for his career, consistently ranking among league leaders in steals. His active hands and anticipation make him an outstanding ball thief who disrupts opposing offenses.
39	Tony Allenplayer	75	Allen averaged 1.5 SPG over his career and was known as one of the premier perimeter defenders, placing him in the strong steals category.
39	James Hardenplayer	75	Harden averages 1.6 SPG over his career with ~2,200 total steals. His active hands and anticipation make him a strong perimeter defender in passing lanes, placing him in the strong steals tier.
39	Tim Hardawayplayer	75	Hardaway averaged 1.6 steals per game over his career, which is above average for a point guard and demonstrates good anticipation and active hands in passing lanes.
39	Stephen Curryplayer	75	Curry averages approximately 1.6 SPG for his career with over 1,800 total steals. His active hands and anticipation in passing lanes make him a strong steal producer, placing him in the 65-77 range.
39	Julius Ervingplayer	75	Dr. J averaged 2.0 SPG over his career with 2,272 total steals. This places him at the lower end of the outstanding steals tier, as he was consistently among league leaders in steals during his era.
44	Penny Hardawayplayer	74	Hardaway averaged 1.6 steals per game over his career, which is above average and demonstrates good anticipation and active hands in passing lanes.
44	Baron Davisplayer	74	Davis averaged 1.5 steals per game over his career, which is strong for a point guard and reflects his active hands and anticipation in passing lanes.
46	Robert Covingtonplayer	72	Covington averaged 1.6 SPG over his career, demonstrating excellent perimeter defense and active hands. This places him in the strong steals category, well above average for his position.
46	Manu Ginobiliplayer	72	Ginobili averaged 1.3 SPG over his career with 1,392 total steals. His active hands and anticipation made him a strong perimeter defender and ball hawk, placing him in the strong steals category.
46	Latrell Sprewellplayer	72	Sprewell averaged 1.4 steals per game over his career, demonstrating strong ball-hawking ability and active hands as a perimeter defender.
46	Charles Barkleyplayer	72	Barkley averaged 1.5 SPG over his career with 1,645 total steals. For a power forward, this is strong steal production, showing his active hands and anticipation in passing lanes.
46	Alex Carusoplayer	72	Caruso averages approximately 1.7 SPG for his career, placing him in the outstanding steals category. He's an elite ball-hawk with exceptional anticipation, active hands, and disruptive perimeter defense.
46	Ben Wallaceplayer	72	Wallace averaged 1.3 SPG over his career with 1,369 total steals. For a center, this is exceptional and places him in the 'Strong Steals' tier (1.3-1.8 SPG range), showcasing his unique ability to disrupt passing lanes from the interior.
46	Joe Dumarsplayer	72	Dumars averaged 1.1 steals per game over his career with 1,312 total steals. His steal rate was solid for his era and consistent with his reputation as a strong perimeter defender.
46	De Anthony Meltonplayer	72	Melton averages approximately 1.6 SPG for his career, which is strong for a guard. He's known for his active hands and ability to disrupt passing lanes, placing him in the strong steals category.
46	Chris Mullinplayer	72	Mullin averaged 1.5 SPG over his career with 2,180 total steals. This is strong production that reflects his basketball IQ and anticipation skills as a perimeter defender.
46	Grant Hillplayer	72	Hill averaged 1.5 SPG over his career with 1,298 total steals. This places him in the strong steals category, reflecting his active hands and anticipation as a perimeter defender.
46	Andre Iguodalaplayer	72	Iguodala averaged approximately 1.5 SPG over his career with over 1,400 total steals. He was an active, disruptive perimeter defender with excellent anticipation, placing him in the strong steals category.
46	Tyrese Haliburtonplayer	72	Haliburton averages approximately 1.3 SPG for his career. He has active hands and good anticipation for a point guard, placing him in the strong steals range despite his overall defensive limitations.
58	Ben Simmonsplayer	70	Simmons averages approximately 1.7 SPG for his career. This places him in the outstanding steals range (78-87) at the lower end, as he's an active perimeter defender with excellent anticipation and length.
59	Donovan Mitchellplayer	68	Mitchell averages approximately 1.5 SPG over his career, which is above-average and reflects his active hands and ability to generate turnovers in passing lanes.
59	Becky Hammonplayer	68	Hammon averaged approximately 1.5 SPG over her WNBA career with over 800 total steals. She was an active, intelligent defender with good anticipation in passing lanes, placing her in the strong steals category.
59	Trevor Arizaplayer	68	Ariza averaged 1.4 steals per game over his career, which is above-average and reflects his reputation as an active, disruptive perimeter defender with good anticipation.
59	Avery Bradleyplayer	68	Bradley averaged 1.4 SPG over his career with approximately 1,450 total steals. As a defensive specialist guard, this represents strong steal production and active hands on defense.
59	Chris Webberplayer	68	Webber averaged 1.4 SPG over his career with 1,761 total steals. This is strong production for a big man, placing him in the strong steals category.
59	Karl Maloneplayer	68	Malone averaged 1.4 SPG over his career with 2,085 total steals. For a power forward, this is exceptional steal production and places him in the strong steals category, demonstrating active hands and anticipation in passing lanes.
59	Willie Wiseplayer	68	Wise averaged around 1.4 SPG during his career, demonstrating strong defensive anticipation and ball-hawking skills that made him an effective perimeter defender.
59	Andre Robersonplayer	68	Roberson averaged approximately 1.5 SPG over his career, reflecting his elite perimeter defense and active hands. This places him in the strong steals category, consistent with his reputation as a lockdown defender.
59	John Havlicekplayer	68	Havlicek averaged 1.2 SPG during tracked seasons (1973-1978) and had 1,160 total steals. His reputation as an active, disruptive defender aligns with this production, placing him in the strong steals category.
59	De'Aaron Foxplayer	68	Fox averages approximately 1.5 SPG over his career, which places him in the strong steals range (1.3-1.8 SPG = 65-77). He's an active defender with good hands and anticipation in passing lanes.
59	Fred VanVleetplayer	68	VanVleet averages approximately 1.6 SPG for his career with over 700 total steals. He has active hands and good anticipation in passing lanes, placing him in the strong steals category for his defensive disruption.
59	Derrick Roseplayer	68	Rose averaged 0.8 SPG over his career, which is solid for a point guard. His athleticism and quick hands made him a capable ball thief, though not elite. Falls in the average-to-solid steals range.
59	Dennis Rodmanplayer	68	Rodman averaged 0.7 SPG over his career with 612 total steals. While not spectacular in raw numbers, his disruptive defense and ability to create turnovers through positioning was above average for a forward.
72	Nikola Jokicplayer	65	Jokic averages approximately 1.3 SPG for his career. For a center, this is exceptional as he uses his basketball IQ and anticipation to generate steals in passing lanes and post-ups.
72	David Robinsonplayer	65	Robinson averaged 1.4 SPG over his career with 1,388 total steals. For a center, this is exceptionally impressive and reflects his rare combination of size, athleticism, and defensive instincts that allowed him to disrupt passing lanes unusually well for his position.
74	Ty Lawsonplayer	62	Lawson averaged 1.2 steals per game over his career, which is solid for a point guard and shows he had decent anticipation and active hands in passing lanes.
74	Mookie Blaylockplayer	62	Mookie Blaylock: ~2.3 SPG, ~1457 total, elite all-time steals guard
74	Maurice Cheeksplayer	62	Maurice Cheeks: ~2.1 SPG, ~2310 total, all-time steals leader HOF
74	Darius Garlandplayer	62	Garland averages approximately 1.3 SPG for his career, which places him in the solid steals range. He has active hands and decent anticipation for a point guard.
74	Evan Mobleyplayer	62	Mobley averages 0.9 SPG through three seasons, solid for a center with his mobility and defensive instincts. Shows good anticipation and active hands for his size.
74	Scottie Barnesplayer	62	Barnes averages around 1.1 SPG in his career, showing good defensive instincts and active hands for a forward.
74	Paul Pierceplayer	62	Pierce averaged 1.3 SPG over his career with 1,583 total steals, placing him in the solid steals range despite his overall defensive limitations.
81	Anthony Edwardsplayer	60	Edwards averages approximately 1.3 SPG for his career with around 350 total steals. This places him in the strong steals range, showing good anticipation and active hands for a young guard.
82	Anthony Davisplayer	58	Davis averages approximately 1.2 SPG over his career with around 1,000 total steals. For a big man this is impressive, placing him in the 'Solid Steals' range (1.0-1.4 SPG), slightly above Kevin Durant's 1.1 SPG (55).
82	Brandin Podziemskiplayer	58	Podziemski averages approximately 1.2 SPG in his early career. This shows good anticipation and active hands for a young guard, placing him in the 50-64 'Solid Steals' range.
82	Ray Allenplayer	58	Allen averaged 1.1 steals per game with 1,343 total steals over his career. This is solid for a shooting guard and represents his most notable defensive contribution.
82	Dominique Wilkinsplayer	58	Wilkins averaged 1.3 SPG over his career with 1,378 total steals. This places him in the solid steals range (1.0-1.4 SPG), showing decent perimeter defensive activity for a wing player.
82	Pete Maravichplayer	58	Maravich averaged 1.4 SPG over his career, benefiting from his quick hands and anticipation despite overall defensive limitations, placing him in the solid steals range.
82	Alperen Sengunplayer	58	Sengun averages approximately 1.2 SPG in his career. For a center, this is impressive as he shows good anticipation and active hands in passing lanes, placing him in the solid steals range.
82	Corey Brewerplayer	58	Brewer averaged approximately 1.2 SPG over his career with around 800 total steals. His length and defensive instincts made him a solid ball-hawk, placing him in the solid steals range.
82	Reggie Millerplayer	58	Miller averaged 1.1 SPG over his career with 1,505 total steals. This is solid production for a shooting guard and falls in the good positional defender range despite his overall defensive limitations.
82	Stephen Jacksoncult_hero	58	Jackson averaged 1.1 steals per game over his career, demonstrating good anticipation and active hands as a perimeter defender who could disrupt passing lanes.
82	Dennis Schröderplayer	58	Schröder averages approximately 1.2 SPG for his career with over 800 total steals. He has active hands and decent anticipation in passing lanes, placing him in the solid steals range.
82	Derrick Whiteplayer	58	White averages approximately 1.2 SPG for his career. He has active hands and good anticipation in passing lanes, placing him in the solid steals range for a guard.
82	Adrian Dantleyplayer	58	Dantley averaged approximately 1.2 SPG over his career with around 1,100 total steals. For a forward, this is decent steal production, showing some ability to disrupt passing lanes despite his overall defensive limitations.
82	Bradley Bealplayer	58	Beal averages approximately 1.2 SPG for his career with over 1,000 total steals. This is solid production for a shooting guard, showing decent anticipation and active hands in passing lanes.
82	Tracy McGradyplayer	58	McGrady averaged 1.2 steals per game over his career, which is solid for his position despite his overall defensive reputation being poor.
82	Shane Battierplayer	58	Battier averaged 1.2 SPG over his career with 1,063 total steals. His active hands and defensive positioning made him a solid contributor in this area.
82	Demarre Carrollplayer	58	Carroll averaged approximately 1.2 SPG over his career, which is solid for a wing defender and reflects his active hands and ability to disrupt passing lanes as part of his defensive skill set.
82	Chet Holmgrenplayer	58	Holmgren averages approximately 1.2 SPG in his early career. For a center, this is exceptional steal production due to his length and mobility, placing him in the solid steals range on the universal scale.
82	Deron Williamsplayer	58	Williams averaged approximately 1.2 SPG over his career with around 1,100 total steals. This is solid for a point guard, showing decent anticipation and active hands in passing lanes.
82	Cade Cunninghamplayer	58	Cunningham averages approximately 1.2 SPG in his early career. This is solid for a point guard, showing good anticipation and active hands in passing lanes, placing him in the solid steals range.