NBA All Time Steals Leaders: Hakeem Olajuwon, Michael Jordan, and More

Steals often do not draw the fans' attention but are the first staircase towards scoring a bucket. As soon as a player in the mid-court or any other part deflects a pass or clinches the ball from the player of the opponent team, a steal is recorded. Now, a steal not only shatters the vision of implementing a play for the opposition team but also forces them to run on the other side of the court to defend their rim. Therefore, a steal psychologically and physically takes a total on the opponents during a game.

It might not be as flashy as three-point line jump dunks or half-court buzzer beaters, but they are one of the factors that impact the NBA teams the most. Today, we will list such players who are able to disrupt the flow of the game for the opponents and turn the tide in their favor. That's why we present you with the top 10 NBA Players with the most career steals.​

NBA All-Time Steals Leaders

It is not quite easy to make a steal during a competitive NBA game. The players are high class, and they rarely make mistakes. Even the best of the defenders and steal leaders can only average about 2 steals per season for most part of their careers. The major cause of such a low stat count in this category is the eligibility that this particular stat requires. A player should be shrewd enough to first decide the direction and style of play and then predict the possible recipients of the game in a split second. Then, the player goes for an attempt to steal. The following players are the ones who were able to achieve such feat in their career, becoming All-Time steals leaders, according to ESPN archives.

10. Hakeem Olajuwon – 2,162 Steals

The last player to bless the All-Time steal leaders in the NBA is the legend Hakeem Olajuwon. The Dream was a defensive beast who played 18 seasons in the league and spent 17 seasons since his debut with the Houston Rockets alone. Olajuwon holds the record for the most blocked shots in NBA history.

But the scary part is that he was quick enough to predict the play and disturb the passing. That's why he was able to record 2,162 steals in his career and is the only center in the top 10 steals leaders. 1988-89 was the NBA year when he had the best season in terms of total steals in a season(213). He finished 5th in the NBA MVP race that season.​

9. Clyde Drexler – 2,207 Steals

Clyde "The Glide" Drexler put up 2,207 steals in total on the charts during his career. He played his whole 17-season NBA career for just two teams, the Portland Trail Blazers from 1983 to 1995 and the Houston Rockets from 1995 to 1998. Drexler's hands and observation were sharp enough to disturb the momentum of the opponents through steals. That's how he accumulated his best 214 steals during the highest 1989 NBA season. He ranks 9th on the All-Time steals leaders list.

8. Scottie Pippen – 2,307 Steals

Scottie Pippen was part of one of the greatest dynasties from the Chicago Bulls, who stood as a worthy playmaker alongside Michael Jordan. He accumulated 2,307 steals and holds the 8th rank on the list of All-time steal leaders in the NBA. Pippen played for 17 seasons in the league and performed for teams the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, and Portland Trail Blazers.

He was a first-class defender and small forward who made it to the NBA All-Defensive First Team eight teams in his career. Scottie recorded the most number of steals(235) during the 1995-96, a year before the championship-winning season.

7. Maurice Cheeks – 2,310 Steals

Maurice Cheeks, on the seventh spot of the NBA All-time steal leaders list, has made 2,310 steals over his career. His stint in the NBA expanded across 17 seasons, during which he played for teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, and New Jersey Nets from 1978 to 1993. Cheeks was a four-time NBA All-Star and made the highest number of steals during the 1981-82 season(209 steals). His numbers might jumble over the years, but Maurice Cheeks did not lose his defensive touch over the years.

6. LeBron James – 2,330 Steals (and counting)

LeBron James is a generational player and proves it from time to time. He is often hailed as the modern-day GOAt for his powerhouse scoring even after 22 seasons while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers. He has garnered 2,280 steals and still increasing the count. He debuted in the league in 2003 and had the best steal count(138) during the 2007-08 season. He led the team to NBA Finals that season but they could not clinch the NBA title.

5. Gary Payton – 2,445 Steals

Gary "The Glove" Payton recorded 2,445 steals in his 18 seasons in the NBA. He was one of the best defensive point guards in NBA history and, therefore, holds the fifth spot on the NBA All-time steal leaders list. During his career, he played for the Seattle SuperSonics from 1990 to 2003. Later on, he went on to represent the Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Miami Heat on the hard court. Payton led the NBA in steals during the 1995-96 season(231 steals) and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year that same year. It was the highest number of steals that he recorded in his pro-basketball career.

4. Michael Jordan – 2,514 Steals

One of the greatest basketball leaders of all time could do anything on the court. In addition to scoring, and assisting, Michael Jordan was even a great steal leader on the court. That's why he stands in the fourth spot on the list of steal leaders in NBA history.

He made 2,514 steals in his career while playing for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. He stood atop the steal list three times in his career and earned the NBA Defensive Player of the Year title in 1988. It was the same year when he recorded the best steal count of a total of 259 in a season.​

3. Jason Kidd – 2,684 Steals

The Dallas Mavericks coach was a menace during his playing days in the NBA. He stands third on the list of NBA All-time steal leaders with his 2,684 steals. He spent 21 seasons in the league while playing for teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, New Jersey Nets, and New York Knicks.

His defensive caliber was so good that he received the NBA All-Defensive First Team selection four times in his career. Kidd was more about disrupting opponents' rhythm and charting maximum steals. During the 2002-03 season, he recorded the most number (179) of steals in his career.

2. Chris Paul – 2,704 Steals (and counting)

The 6-footer point guard is more keen on defense and playmaking; that's why he was able to accumulate 2,704 steals in his NBA career. He is a legend in terms of playing time since he has survived the league for 20 seasons and started the journey with the New Orleans Hornets, which later relocated to become the Charlotte Hornets. Chris Paul is the six-time steal champion, and 9x NBA All-Defensive Team selected.

It proves how much he can add to a team on the defense in terms of ball flow and defense reliance. He has played for teams like the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Phoenix Suns. However, he recorded the highest number of steals in the 2007-08 season(217 steals).​

1. John Stockton – 3,265 Steals

John Stockton stands atop the list of most steals in NBA history leaders list. He was a great player at predicting the flow of the plays with the reflexes to react on time. That's why he was able to record 3,265 steals in his 19-season career. Notably, he spent all of his NBA stint with the Utah Jazz from 1984 to 2003.

He led the league in steals twice and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team five times in his NBA career. From 1988 to 1992, he had the best steal record, raking up more than 200 steals per season. The best season in terms of steals for John Stockton was the 1989 season(263).