Giannis Antetokounmpo is currently 2nd on the Bucks’ all-time steals list.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s name often pops up first when it comes to Bucks franchise records. He has the most games played, points, assists, rebounds, and blocks. One place where he is not first, though, is steals. So who is? And where does Antetokounmpo rank? Find out below.
1. Quinn Buckner – 1,042 steals
Buckner was a point guard with a clear calling card, and that was his defensive acumen. He didn’t score a ton, but he was second-team All-Defense four times, and the guy had quick hands. Buckner averaged 2.3 steals per game over six seasons with the Bucks.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 995 steals
Giannis is widely considered the greatest player in Bucks franchise history and a future Hall of Famer. Using his length and instincts, he consistently jumped passing lanes and disrupted plays, helping him pile up steals and climb near the top of this list. His defensive versatility and relentless effort have made him one of the most impactful defenders in franchise history.
3. Paul Pressey – 894 steals
One of the prototypical “point forwards,” Pressey was pretty good on the offensive end, but stellar on the defensive end. He made first-team All-Defense on two occasions. When he wasn’t dishing out dimes from the wing, he was swiping passes from the opposition. In his best campaign, Pressey averaged 7.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
4. Sidney Moncrief – 874 steals
The first official Hall of Famer on this list (Antetokounmpo could retire tomorrow and be enshrined), Moncrief has the accolades to show he may have been a better defender than Buckner or Pressey. After all, he won Defensive Player of the Year twice. His steal numbers weren’t quite as gaudy, but obviously there is more to defensive excellence. In terms of overall resume, during a four-season run, he averaged over 20 points per game, bringing offense along with his defensive skill.
5. Khris Middleton – 870 steals
A three-time all-star, Middleton served well in a secondary role next to Antetokounmpo as a floor-spacing 3-and-D guy and talented complimentary scorer. He racked up 870 steals in Milwaukee – surpassing the talented Alvin Robertson, who made his name by snagging turnovers.
To that end, made three-pointers are about the only other place in Bucks history where somebody other than Antetokounmpo ranks first, and that somebody is Middleton.
