Dyson Daniels, sometimes known as "The Great Barrier Thief," overtook Mookie Blaylock as the Hawks' single-season steals leader.
Dyson Daniels, one of the league's top defenders, is presently a member of the Atlanta Hawks. He recorded an impressive number of steals during his debut season with the team. For a single season, let us examine the Hawks' record book and highlight the top five players in terms of steals per game.
2025 Dyson Daniels: 2.7 steals per contest
The Pelicans were Daniels' team during the first two seasons of his career. In his debut season, he averaged just 18 minutes per game, and in his second season, he averaged 22 minutes. In his second season, he averaged 1.4 steals, demonstrating his potential as a stealer. Following his trade to the Hawks, he started the previous season right away and averaged 34 minutes per game. He led the NBA with an average of 3.0 steals per game thanks to his new role. In the voting for Defensive Player of the Year, he placed second, was named to the All-Defensive First Team, and received the Most Improved Player award.
(1997) Mookie Blaylock: 2.7 steals per game
Blaylock played for the Nets for the first three seasons of his career. He averaged at least 2.3 steals per game in two of those seasons. The Hawks acquired him before the 1992–93 season. Blaylock led the NBA in steals during the 1996–97 season, averaging 2.7 per game. In terms of three-pointers attempted per game (7.7) and three-pointers made per game (2.8), he also led the league. He was named to the All-Defensive Second Team and placed third in the Defensive Player of the Year voting because he produced steals.
In 1994, Mookie Blaylock averaged 2.6 thefts per match.
During the 1993–94 season, Blaylock played in 81 games and averaged 36 minutes. He averaged 13.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 9.7 assists, 2.6 steals, and 1.4 three-pointers in the end. He received his career's lone All-Star selection as a result. Along with making the All-Defensive First Team, he placed sixth in the MVP vote and eleventh in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.
(1996) Mookie Blaylock: 2.6 steals per game
Blaylock has no issues with availability. The 1995–96 season saw him play in 81 games once more, averaging 36 minutes per contest. He averaged 15.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.6 steals, and 2.9 three-pointers as a consequence. That season, he was named to the All-Defensive Second Team.(1998) Mookie Blaylock: 2.6 steals per game
Blaylock led the league in steals for the second time in his career, averaging 2.6 per game from 1997 to 1998. A member of the All-Defensive Second Team, he placed sixth in the Defensive Player of the Year vote that season. Before spending three seasons with the Warriors to round up his career, Blaylock would play one more season with the Hawks.Blaylock averaged 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 2.6 steals, and 2.0 three-pointers in 518 games during his tenure with the Hawks during the regular season. He averaged 14.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.0 steals, and 2.5 three-pointers in 50 playoff games with the team.