Steal (basketball)

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In basketball, a steal occurs when a defensive player legally gains control of the ball from an offensive player. This can be done by deflecting and controlling, catching, or batting (to a teammate) a pass or dribble of an offensive player. The defender must not touch the offensive player's hands or otherwise a foul is called.

Stealing the ball requires good anticipation, speed and fast reflexes, all common traits of a good defender. However, like blocks, steals aren't always a perfect gauge of a player's defensive abilities. An unsuccessful steal can result in the defender being out of position and unable to recover in time. Therefore, a steal is a gamble.

If an offensive player gets stolen, he/she is recorded as making a turnover.

There is no necessarily prototypical position from which a player may get many steals from. It has been a recent trend for the smaller, quicker guards to accumulate the most steals, but for many years center Hakeem Olajuwon lead his team in the category, consistently ranking among the league's leaders.

Kendall Gill and Larry Kenon are tied for most steals in a single game with eleven. Kenon's was recorded on December 26, 1976 while Gill recorded his on April 3, 1999.

The most steals in a season is 301 by Alvin Robertson in 1985-86.

NBA career leaders

1. 3265 - John Stockton
2. 2514 - Michael Jordan
3. 2402 - Gary PaytonThe player is still active as of July 2006
4. 2310 - Maurice Cheeks
5. 2307 - Scottie Pippen
6. 2207 - Clyde Drexler
7. 2162 - Hakeem Olajuwon
8. 2112 - Alvin Robertson
9. 2085 - Karl Malone
10. 2075 - Mookie Blaylock
11. 1957 - Derek Harper
12. 1861 - Isiah Thomas
13. 1775 - Jason KiddThe player is still active as of July 2006
14. 1724 - Magic Johnson
15. 1716 - Ron Harper
16. 1666 - Fat Lever
17. 1648 - Charles Barkley
18. 1638 - Gus Williams
19. 1622 - Hersey Hawkins
20. 1616 - Rod Strickland
21. 1608 - Mark Jackson
22. 1593 - Allen IversonThe player is still active as of July 2006
23. 1583 - Terry Porter
24. 1563 - Doc Rivers
25. 1556 - Larry Bird
26. 1552 - Doug Christie
27. 1544 - Nate McMillan
28. 1536 - Jeff Hornacek
29. 1530 - Chris Mullin
30. 1526 - Eddie JonesThe player is still active as of July 2006

Other great NBA stealers

• Michael Ray Richardson (556 games, 2.71 spg)
• Slick Watts (437 games, 2.20 spg)
• Ron Artest (408 games, 2.10 spg)The player is still active as of July 2006
• Rick Barry (794 games, 1.99 spg)
• Shawn MarionThe player is still active as of July 2006
• Walt Frazier
• Brevin KnightThe player is still active as of July 2006
• Baron DavisThe player is still active as of July 2006

Notes