steals per game for a career with 2.28 SPG. Maurice Cheeks in the 1979 Playoffs averaged a playoff record 4.11 SPG. Notable players in the NBA Some of the greatest defensive specialists in the steals category in the NBA include: Hakeem Olajuwon - ranking in the top 10 All-Time in both steals and blocks. Walt Frazier – renowned for his masterful defense, which culminated around his ability to deflect dribbling and passes using his incredibly quick hands. Steals were not recorded during the early part of his career. Frazier once made 8 consecutive steals during a third quarter against Atlanta in 1971. Allen Iverson – led the league in steals three times (consecutively); most steals in a playoff game. Michael Jordan – led the league in steals and steals per game three times, #3 all-time in career steals and #3 all-time in steals per game. #2 all-time in career steals in the playoffs behind Scottie Pippen. Chris Paul – holds the NBA record for most consecutive games with a steal, led the league in steals and steals per game six times. Michael Ray Richardson – led the league in steals three times; #2 all-time in steals per game. Alvin Robertson – led the league in steals and steals per game three times, #9 all-time in career steals and #1 all-time in steals per game. John Stockton – led the league in steals twice, #1 all-time in career steals and #6 in steals per game. Jerry West – is widely known for his ability to execute steals, but the statistic was not recorded until his final season. West was the first player to officially record 10 steals in a game. Clyde Drexler – Drexler had 2,207 steals in his 15-year career with the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets. He is #7 all-time in career steals. See also List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders List of National Basketball Association season steals leaders List of National Basketball Association players with most steals in a game References Basketball terminology Basketball statistics