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One of the most demoralizing things you can do to an opposition player is to steal the ball from him. It could lead to a fastbreak point for the team and could potentially turn the game on its head or maybe even a series.
There have been greats of the game like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, etc. who have come up with precious steals in crucial moments in games that have turned the fixture around. The value of a steal is priceless at times and could prove the difference between the two teams on-court.
The very best players are the ones who are just as present on the defensive as they are on the offensive side of the floor. The current crop of players like Kawhi Leonard, Ben Simmons contest every possession with the same intensity and often come up with steals.
Now, we look at the five players who have recorded the most number steals so far this season.
#5 Chris Paul - 94
One of the best guards of his generation, Chris Paul is leading the way for the Oklahoma City Thunder this season. He is averaging 17.5 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.9 rebounds this term while shooting nearly 36% from the field. Paul's stature makes him a great dressing room presence for the youngsters in the roster.
CP3 has recorded the seventh-most steals in NBA history. He has 94 steals this season and has led the league in steals per game for four consecutive seasons. Ever-present on the defensive end, the guard is averaging over two steals per game in his career and has come up with the good in crunch situations.
The Thunder are sixth in the Western Conference and are four games behind the third-seed Denver Nuggets. Billy Donovan and co. will be hoping to make some serious noise in the postseason.
#4 James Harden - 98
One of the many perceptions around the league is that James Harden does not play defense. Well, he certainly has this season. Leading the way along with with Russell Westbrook for the Houston Rockets this season, Harden has 98 steals to his name so far this campaign. This to go along with the fact that he is averaging 34.9 points, 7.4 assists, and 6.3 rebounds while shooting nearly 36% from beyond the arc.
The guard is going through a slump at the moment and the way the Rockets are setup under Mike D'Antoni, it's down to Russell Westbrook to take the lead. He made the Western Conference Semifinals last year and will be hoping to lead the Rockets to a championship this campaign.
#3 Kris Dunn - 101
One of the best defensive guards in the league, Kris Dunn has been a revelation for the Chicago Bulls this season. He is averaging 7.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game while shooting over 44% from the field in just over 24 minutes a game. His value to the team comes on the defensive end of the floor rather than the offensive side.
While the Chicago Bulls may be weak defensively, they have racked up the most steals in the NBA this season. That is down to the likes of Dunn and Zach LaVine who pounce on the opportunity to steal the ball from the opposition. He suffered an MCL injury last month and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
#2 Andre Drummond - 107
Andre Drummond, one of the best defensive players in the league, was signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers from the Detroit Pistons this year. He is averaging 17.5 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting nearly 53% from the field. A massive presence on both the ends of the floor, Drummond was a decent acquisition by the Cavaliers.
The center has recorded 107 steals this term and has played a massive role for the Detroit Pistons in the last couple of years. He was an All-Star in 2016 and 2018 and led the NBA in rebounds in 2016, 2018, and 2019. Always in contention for the Defensive Player of the Year Award, Drummond would be a superb addition to most of the teams in the league.
#1 Ben Simmons - 115
Arguably the best defensive player in the league, Ben Simmons is having a very good season with the Philadelphia 76ers. He is averaging 16.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists this season while shooting over 58% from the field. Leading the way along with Joel Embiid for the 76ers, Simmons is a strong contender for the Defensive Player of the Year Award this term.
Leading the league with the most steals at 115, the Australian has been consistently a strong defensive presence for Philly since his debut. His ridiculous wingspan coupled with his ability to read the situation is some of the reasons why he comes away with the most steals in the NBA.
While his perimeter shooting is being questioned, his ability to attack the rim or set up teammates do not go unnoticed. Drafted as the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, Simmons will be hoping to lead the 76ers to a championship this season.
