NBA's Man of Steal - Who is it??

When it comes to steals in the NBA it seems as though part of your name has to contain the sound of 'on' in it. Names such as Johnson, Robertson, Richardson, Don, Payton, Stockton, Iverson, Jordon (ok ok I spelt it wrong but it sounds like that), Pippon (yeah I got that wrong too).

In all the years of the NBA/ABA nobody had a better year and deserved the name 'The Glove' more than Don Buse of Indiana in 1975. In his 84 games that season he became the only player in NBA history to average over 4 steals a game. The final figure he ended up with was 4.12spg.

Nobody could get even close to that mark, including himself. His next season he tallied 281 steals at an average of 3.47, which is the 3rd best in NBA history. But does that make him the 'Man of Steal'? Or just a 'Man with a couple of good years of Steal'?

Lets take a look at players entire career of steals.

Don Buse could keep up the pace of his 75-76 seasons. His steal rates dropped off dramatically and ended his career with 1832 steals at an average of 1.77 a game. This could only plonk him in position 33 on the all time 'Men of Steal' list. Which I am guessing will drop with his limited play these days.

Who could be number 1? Surely Gary 'The Glove' Payton is up there, he has made a name for himself as a thief. Well this may surprise you but he is only in position 28 with 2638 steals @ 1.8spg.

Magic Johnson? Nope 22nd on the table with 2082 steals @ 1.9spg. Scottie Pippen? 16th. Jason Kidd? 13th. John Stockton? Nope 7th. Oh ok it is Michael Jordan. Sorry guys he could only manage 4th with an average of 2.31.

So who is it I hear you ask? The number one 'Man of Steal' over his career is Alvin Robertson. Robertson with a steal rate consistency above 2 steals a game after his rookie season, is the greatest of all time. His best season were 85-86 where he had averages for the San Antonio Spurs of 3.67spg (2nd Best NBA ever) and 3.21spg respectively.

As a total over his career he finished with an average of 2.71spg. This was added to his Most Improved award, Defensive Player of the Year award and 4 All-Star Appearances. Alvin certainly was the 'Man of Steal'.

The Top 10 Men of Steal include:


Coach Onski

This article was originally posted on www.onski.blogspot.com on the 27/12/2007

Stats thanks to www.databasebasketball.com. Pictures thanks to www.viewimages.com, www.sportsencyclopedia.com, www.nba.com