Don’t forget about steals. In a rotisserie league, steals are worth just as much as any other category, but you don’t necessarily think about steals as you are drafting players.

Not too unlike assists, there are a few top steals guys at the top of the league that you really ought to consider drafting because making up steals with guys later in the draft just isn’t very likely.

Unfortunately, there is one player who is head and shoulders above everyone else when it comes to steals, but if you don’t have the first pick in the draft, you won’t have a chance at getting him.

1. Chris Paul – 217 – If you have been reading these articles, you realize that Chris Paul was also the top player in assists. That is the reason why Chris Paul should be the number one pick in your league. He’ll single-handedly help you win two categories.

Tier 2

1. Baron Davis – 191 – Unfortunately Baron Davis isn’t likely to keep up this insane amount of steals when he plays for the Los Angeles Clippers. The style of play is different and, not being in a contract year, he isn’t likely to play with the same kind of passion he played last year. Of course, that also assumes that he remains healthy, which is probably a long shot.
2. Andre Iguodala – 171 – Iguodala has continued to improve year after year, but we’ll have to wait and see if he can play with the same kind of passion with a large contract under his belt. He’s still young, though, and has a good chance of improving from his 171 from last year. As a third rounder, he’s probably worth a look, especially if you weren’t able to get Chris Paul.
3. Allen Iverson – 160 – Iverson is always among the league in steals. Although he is getting older, year after year it doesn’t seem like he gets any slower. Look for Iverson to get another 150+ steals this year.
4. Kobe Bryant – 151 – You aren’t picking him up for his steals, but he gets a lot of them.
5. Ron Artest – 133 – That was with only 57 games. Obviously if his antics don’t get him into trouble, Artest could be counted on for a lot of steals next year. You might be a little leary of using a fourth round pick on him, and with good reason. Of course, if anyone might be able to handle him it would be Rick Adelman, the current coach of the Houston Rockets.
6. Gerald Wallace – 131 – With only 62 games. If his body allows him to play a whole season, he could be a very good pick up in the fifth round. I think there are some safer choices, however.
7. Ronnie Brewer – 129 – This is mostly based on upside, as Brewer is a young guy who is getting better and better. Assuming that he is again the starting two guard for the Utah Jazz, Brewer is an excellent late round pick for helping you in steals.
8. Rajon Rondo – 129 – Another late rounder who is mostly in Tier 2 based on potential. Given the choice between Brewer and Rondo, both probably starters for their respective teams, Brewer is likely to have the better stats in other categories.
9. Caron Butler – 128 – Another player to lose a lot of games to injury, Caron Butler is always one of the top in the league in steals. Look for him to do well again this year unless the injury bug plagues him again.
10. Shawn Marion – 125 – Another one of the top thieves in the league whose numbers were reduced due to playing fewer games. Look for Marion to explode this year as he seeks to earn a last big contract.

Tier 3

1. LeBron James – 138
2. Jason Kidd – 136
3. Monta Ellis – 124 – Nobody is sure when he will be back for Golden State, but a good late round pick if you have a bench slot where you can stow him until he is healthy.
4. Josh Smith – 123 – Armed with a new contract, how will he play?
5. Jason Richardson – 116
6. Rudy Gay – 111