A steal is an active defensive play: the defender takes the ball directly from the opponent, either by poking it away from a dribble or picking off a passing lane. It's different from a loose ball recovery after pressured turnover.
Analysts value it heavily because each steal has double impact: it denies the opponent a possession AND typically creates a fast-break opportunity, which is the most efficient shot situation in basketball.
Top NBA ball hawks average around 2 to 2.5 STL per game. The all-time records (Alvin Robertson, 3.67 STL in 1985-86) come from eras with higher pace.
A defender can rack up steals but still be a poor defender if they gamble too much and get beaten when they miss. Steals always need to be read alongside overall defensive context.
Real example
A defender logs 3 steals in a game: 2 off picked-off passes and 1 off a dribble. Their STL total is 3.
Related terms
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