The Raptors have a proud franchise history that includes 13 playoff appearances in 31 years, along with one title. Along the way, some of the league’s best defenders have suited up in The North. Read on to see the best steals per game performances in a single season in Raptors history.
Doug Christie – 1997, 2.5 steals per game
Christie actually lays claim to the top three SPG seasons in Raptors history, headlined by his effort in 1997 with 2.5 steals per game. It was Christie’s first full season with the team after joining them midseason in 1996. He started 81 games and played lockdown defense as his 2.5 SPG figure ranked second in the league behind only Mookie Blaylock (2.7). This was a true breakout season for Christie given that he’d never averaged more than 1.4 SPG in his previous four seasons.
Doug Christie – 1998, 2.4 steals per game
Christie continued to play at a high level the following year with another prolific campaign. He upped his scoring average to a career-best 16.5 points per game while maintaining his lockdown defensive prowess as he averaged over 2.0 steals per game for yet another season. Mookie Blaylock won the steals crown again in 1998, though, and Christie finished third in the category.
Doug Christie – 1999, 2.3 steals per game
Christie’s second-to-last season in Toronto was another strong one with the veteran averaging 15.2 points per game and 2.3 steals per game. It was his third straight year finishing at least in the top five in SPG as he finished behind only Kendall Gill, Eddie Jones, Allen Iverson and Jason Kidd. Christie and the Raptors missed out on the playoffs in that shortened season, finishing sixth in the Central Division.
Alvin Robertson – 1996, 2.2 steals per game
Robertson is one of the greatest perimeter defenders in NBA history. He sits a 11th all-time in steals with 2112. He is a three-time steals champ whose 2.7 career steals per game average is the best all-time. His lone season in Toronto was remarkably impressive as he returned to the league after missing the previous years due to injury. At 33, Robertson played 77 games and racked up 2.2 steals per game. That was good enough for fifth in the league behind legends like Gary Payton, Mookie Blaylock, Michael Jordan, and Jason Kidd.
Kyle Lowry – 2016, 2.1 steals per game
The most recent entrant on this list, Mr. Raptor makes the cut with his impressive 2016 season. He averaged 2.1 steals per game that year en route to making the second of six consecutive All-Star teams. Lowry also got MVP and Defensive Player of the Year votes that year while finishing fourth in SPG. He helped lead the Raptors to an Eastern Conference Finals berth against the Cavaliers.