Isiah Thomas takes all but one spot in the top five for Detroit’s single-season SPG.
The Detroit Pistons have had several talented defenders suit up in the red, blue and white throughout their 78 years in the NBA. This article will dig into the greatest steals seasons in franchise history, with Isiah Thomas taking all but one spot in the top five. Note that steals did not become an official NBA stat until the 1973-74 season.
Isiah Thomas – 1984, 2.5 SPG
During the 1983-84 campaign, Thomas appeared in all 82 games and posted averages of 21.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 11.1 assists and 2.5 steals per game. The second overall pick in the 1981 NBA Draft by the Pistons earned a third consecutive All-Star selection, made his first of three straight All-NBA First Team honors, and finished fifth in the MVP race while leading Detroit to a 49-33 record. He tallied 56 double-doubles (points and assists) and recorded at least one steal in 76 outings, additionally setting a personal-best with 47 points in his third professional season. Thomas’ 204 total swipes are still the most all-time in a single season in franchise history.
M.L. Carr – 1979, 2.5 SPG
Michael Leon Carr spent the 1975-76 season with the Spirits of St. Louis of the ABA before making his way to the NBA. ‘Lunchbox’ signed with the Pistons ahead of the 1976-77 campaign, playing the next three years there and establishing himself as one of the better defenders in the league. At age-28 in 1978-79, Carr put up career-highs across the board over 80 contests, including points (18.7), rebounds (7.4), assists (3.3), steals (2.5) and minutes played (40.1). He led the NBA in steals and was named to the All-Defensive Second Team for his efforts. Following his time in Detroit, Carr enjoyed six more seasons as a pro with the Boston Celtics, winning two titles in 1981 and 1984 before officially retiring in 1985.
Isiah Thomas – 1983, 2.5 SPG
The third entrant of 2.5 steals per game in Detroit’s all-time list belongs to Thomas, which he recorded in back-to-back seasons during the early ‘80s. In 1982-83, ‘Zeke’ proved he was going to be a problem for the rest of the league for years to come, averaging a career-high 22.9 points with 4.0 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 2.5 steals across 81 appearances (all starts). The native of Chicago, Illinois was rewarded with his second consecutive All-Star nod and the first All-NBA honor of his legendary career, making the Second Team at just 21-years-old. Thomas spent each of his 13 years as a pro with the Pistons, winning two NBA titles and compiling averages of 19.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 9.3 apg and 1.9 spg over 979 regular-season games.
Isiah Thomas – 1985, 2.3 SPG
A couple years later, Thomas saw his pickpocket numbers drop slightly, but his playmaking was at an all-time high. The ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’ went off for 21.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals while dishing out a career-best and league-leading 13.9 assists across 81 contests. He recorded 65 double-doubles, two triple-doubles, and had eight outings with 20 or more assists, including a career-high 25 dimes, which he set just two games after a 25-point,10-rebound, 24-assist triple-double. Thomas was voted an All-Star for the fourth straight season and earned back-to-back All-NBA First Team honors.
Isiah Thomas – 1986, 2.2 SPG
In 1985-86, ‘Pocket Magic’ put up 20.9 points, 3.6 boards, 10.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game in 77 starts. It was Thomas’ third consecutive campaign in which he averaged at least 20.0 ppg, 10.0 apg and 2.0 spg, additionally marking a fifth straight year where he swiped 2.1-plus spg. Throughout his 13 seasons in the NBA, Thomas was a 12-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, a two-time champion (1989, 1990) with the Pistons, and the 1989-90 Finals MVP, earning the point guard a Hall of Fame induction in 2000 and a spot on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
