RealGM

He's currently 4th in the NBA in steals per game at 2.1 per game. Can he sustain getting 2+ steals per game for 82 games or is this just an early season anomaly? Overall the team has been very good at getting in passing lanes and deflecting passes.

Overall Detroit is third as a team in steals so far which has been a key part of our early success.
1. OKC 9.9 SPG
2. Utah 9.8 SPG
3. Detroit 9.7 SPG

He's actually the best defensive player in the league statically at the moment. He's all around playing really good right now.

It's not that anomalous -- last couple seasons, he averaged 1.5 steals/game.

He reaches too much at times, but he does have exceptional hands for a big man. I doubt he'll average 2, but he could certainly get a career high playing in this (finally) revved up defense.

one thing i've noticed is that we're trapping pick and rolls more often this year which opens up opportunities to jump on passes out of those traps.

so far we're giving up the 5th worst points per possession to pick and roll ball handlers (0.91 PPP) but we also have the third highest turnover frequency which shows the high risk/reward nature of trapping. it's not always the case as OKC forces the most turnovers in those scenarios but also gives up one of the best PPP, but i haven't seen them play so i don't know how often they trap.

Not surprised because of how exceptionally quick he is for his size, picking guard's pockets going back to his rookie year even.