LeBron James, one of the greatest to ever step onto an NBA court, also holds an unenviable record. He's racked up an astounding number of career turnovers in the regular season. To be precise, as of the latest season, James has committed over 4,000 turnovers. This number is reflective of his long career and the immense responsibility he carries for his teams' ball-handling duties. James' career began in 2003, and in the nearly two decades hence, he's established himself as a primary ball-handler, leading to a high number of turnovers. Yet, this doesn't overshadow his remarkable achievements, including four NBA championships and 18 All-Star appearances.
Karl Malone, another titan of the game, stands just behind James in the turnover department. Over his 19-year career, Malone committed 4,524 turnovers. Playing for the Utah Jazz for most of his career, the "Mailman" delivered incredible performances night after night. Malone's consistency and longevity are evidenced by his two MVP awards and his second-place rank on the all-time scoring list, with 36,928 points. His aggressive playing style, coupled with the significant minutes he logged, naturally led to a high turnover count.
John Stockton, Malone's long-time teammate, also appears on the high-turnover list with 4,244 turnovers. Stockton, renowned for his playmaking abilities, is the NBA's all-time leader in assists and steals. His turnover count might seem high, but considering his career total of 15,806 assists, it's a trade-off most teams would happily accept. Stockton's ability to control the tempo and find open teammates was unparalleled, and his 19-year career is a testament to his exceptional fitness and skill.
Russell Westbrook is another player known for his turnovers. Westbrook's aggressive style and high usage rate have resulted in more than 4,000 turnovers over his career thus far. The sheer velocity at which he plays the game, always pushing the tempo and driving into congested areas, often leads to mistakes. However, Westbrook's explosiveness and ability to fill the stat sheet, evidenced by multiple seasons averaging a triple-double, show why he's one of the game's most electrifying talents.
Jason Kidd, a Hall-of-Fame point guard known for his court vision, turned the ball over 4,003 times in his storied career. Kidd played for several teams, including the Dallas Mavericks and the New Jersey Nets, and he's remembered for his exceptional passing ability and defensive skills. Despite the turnovers, Kidd ranks second all-time in assists with 12,091 and second in steals with 2,684, highlighting his impact on both ends of the floor.
Interestingly, Kobe Bryant, despite being a shooting guard, accumulated a significant number of turnovers as well. Bryant’s 4,010 turnovers are indicative of his role as the Los Angeles Lakers’ primary scoring and playmaking option throughout his 20-year career. The "Black Mamba" was known for his relentless pursuit of excellence, which led him to take risks that didn’t always pay off. Nevertheless, Bryant's five NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, and 18 All-Star selections affirm his legendary status in the game.
Chris Paul, still active in the league, has also surpassed the 4,000-turnover mark. As of the latest season, Paul’s career turnover tally sits around 4,400. Considered one of the greatest point guards of all time, Paul’s turnovers are a byproduct of his role as a floor general. He ranks third all-time in assists, behind Stockton and Kidd, and his ball-handling skills have been instrumental in the success of every team he’s played for.
Isiah Thomas, the Detroit Pistons’ legendary guard, amassed 3,682 turnovers during his career. Thomas was instrumental to the "Bad Boys" era Pistons, leading them to back-to-back NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990. His fearless play and leadership on the court often put him in precarious positions, resulting in turnovers. Despite this, Thomas’ tenacity and skill as a playmaker earned him 12 All-Star appearances and a Finals MVP award in 1990.
James Harden, known for his offensive prowess and ability to draw fouls, has also committed a substantial number of turnovers. With over 4,200 turnovers in his career thus far, Harden's style of play, which involves a lot of dribbling and isolation plays, leads to a high turnover rate. However, Harden’s scoring ability, evident from his league-leading scoring titles and the 2018 NBA MVP award, makes the turnovers a manageable downside for teams he plays for.
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