Rajon Rondo headlines the single season steals per game leaders for the Celtics.
The Celtics are one of the most storied franchises in all of sports and, by extension, have had some great individual performances in their history. Let’s look at the best five single-season leaders in steals per game.
Rajon Rondo – 2010, 2.3 SPG
Rondo was routinely in the running for Defensive Player of the Year early in his career, including 2010 when he racked up a career-high 2.3 steals per game. That production earned him a spot on the All-Defensive First Team and resulted in him finishing fifth in the DPOY voting. Rondo’s 2.3 steals per game led the league, beating out Monta Ellis’ 2.2 steals per game.
Rajon Rondo – 2011, 2.2 SPG
Rondo followed up his prolific 2010 season with another stellar campaign the following year. He swiped 2.2 steals per game, which ranked second in the league behind Chris Paul’s 2.4. Rondo was once again named to the All-Defensive First Team and finished fifth in DPOY voting. He also averaged a double-double on the offensive end with 10.6 points and 11.2 assists per game. That strong, all-around box score earned Rondo MVP consideration as he finished 10th in voting.
Rick Fox – 1997, 2.2SPG
Fox had arguably his best all-around season in 1997 when he averaged career highs in steals (2.2) and points (15.4) per game. Fox’s efforts on the defensive end earned him Defensive Player of the Year consideration as he finished sixth in the voting that season. This was Fox’s last year in Boston before spending the next seven years with the Lakers where he would win three NBA Championships.
David Wesley – 1997, 2.2 SPG
Wesley and Rick Fox combined to give the Celtics some great perimeter defense in 1997 as they tied for fifth in the league at 2.2 steals per game. It was the first of two times that Wesley averaged at least 2.0 steals per game, with the other coming in 1999 as a member of the Hornets. Wesley also averaged a career-high 16.8 points per game in what would be his final year in Boston.
Paul Pierce – 2000, 2.1 SPG
Pierce is one of the all-time greats in Celtics history who ranks third in games played in the Green and White. He swiped a career-best 2.1 steals per game in 2000, his second year in the league. Overall, Pierce is the franchise’s all-time leader in steals after spending 15 seasons in Boston. Pierce also leads in several other statistical categories in Celtics history, including made threes.
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