Turnover Titans: Top 10 NBA Players with the Most Turnovers

By Jordan Samar September 06, 2024 06:30

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Turnovers are important in basketball as the game is fast-paced, and one turnover can make a difference between winning or losing. A turnover happens when a player makes an error or has the ball stolen by someone on the other team. Some might argue that it's good to turn the ball over, as they regard those who have turnovers in a game are playing from an active part of their role. Here is a breakdown of the ten players with the highest career turnover rates in modern-day NBA, including their careers and playing style, mentioning how it may impact their turnovers.

Player Profiles

1. LeBron James

In the process of writing history, reaching career milestones, creating records that became hard to break, and being considered an all-time great in basketball, LeBron James is playing basketball stuff people just dream about. James has won multiple NBA championships and MVP awards, playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Style of Play, Turnover Analysis:

LeBron's versatility on the floor defines his game. He can play almost all positions as the primary ball handler and playmaker, which leads to high turnover rates. He is often asked to make plays under duress.

2. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook's explosive athleticism and triple-double hustle are signature moves in his playbook. He played on teams, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Style of Play and Turnover Study:

Westbrook plays fast and aggressively, which means turnovers happen. His penchant for driving hard to the basket and constant attempts at more difficult passes help explain his high turnover count.

3. Karl Malone

1979 -Karl Malone ("The Mailman") is an All-Star who boasts a swagger with the league's top 10 NBA scorers of all-time.

Style of Play and the Details on Turnovers:

Malone's turnovers were generally of the "helplessly a post player after a double team on an aggressive defense just stripped me while I was trying to score" sort.

4. John Stockton

John Stockton is another Jazz legend and is regarded as one of the top playmakers in game history. He has more assists than anyone in NBA history.

Playing Style and Turnover Factors:

Part of that, however, is due to Stockton being one of the primary ball-handlers on this team. That pinpoint accuracy was the type that made up threading the needle, creating turnover issues.

5. Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant is known for his scoring and competitiveness, winning five NBA championships in the process.

Playing Style and Turnover Analysis

Kobe tried to avoid errors, and he often turned the ball over trying, literally through his scoring mind state at that time, though Kobe never expected those turnovers actions in clutch situations.

6. Jason Kidd

That vision, combined with an elite level of defensive continuity that was nigh unprecedented for a point guard, put Hall of Famer Jason Kidd in exclusive company.

Composition and Turnover Review:

Many of Kidd's turnovers came while playmaking, trying to create for himself and others, which sometimes led him to make ill-advised passes.

7. James Harden

James Harden has consistently been one of the highest scorers and playmakers on teams such as the Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers.

In-Game Composition and Turnover Review:

The number of turnovers Harden makes typically comes with high usage and a fairly isolation, napalm-dribble-filled style.

8. Moses Malone

Moses Malone was a dominant force in rebounding and scoring. He has played for several teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers.

Playing Style and Turnovers Assessed:

Most of Malone's turnovers resulted from his banging low-post game, which required him to navigate resistance from double and triple teams.

9. Isiah Thomas

Isiah Thomas was the floor general for those championship Detroit Pistons teams and was notably prosperous when leading alongside clutch players.

Style of Play and Turnover Breakdown:

Thomas was known for his high turnover rate, which often resulted from aggressive drives and passes that were part of his team's offensive strategy.

10. Hakeem Olajuwon

He was known for his defensive shot blocking and pickup-play intense half-court one-on-one play, as well as his scoring in the low post. He often used spin moves and fadeaways along with "Dream Shakes," which were quickly jabbing and spinning when facing an opponent.

Style of Play + Turnover Numbers

Turnovers were generally avoided in Olajuwon's post game, and the main cause of them was double teams and defensive schemes meant to throw off this rhythm.

Comparative Analysis

Lebron James, Russell Westbrook, and other players who are responsible for dictating the tempo of the game will, by default, due to their high number of plays made/ at the rim, lead in turnovers. On the flipside, post players such as Karl Malone and Hakeem Olajuwon turn it over due to defensive pressure in the paint.

A turnover is similar to a strikeout in baseball. It might seem like an unnecessary black mark on the box score, but it works as evidence of how much a player has his hand and footprints all over everything happening. The top 10 players with the most turnovers in NBA history feature not only blunderers but also extremely valuable contributors to their teams' victories. While players moving in and out can hurt a legacy, it also says something the player was at least once central to his team's offensive design.

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