Nerlens Noel is the best steal-producing big man in the NBA

Steals are a stat usually associated with guards; quick, small players who can pick the pocket of an opposing point and effortlessly pop up in passing lanes.

That is not the case for Nerlens Noel, the Sixers nearly 7'0'' rookie, who is currently ninth overall in the entire NBA in steals per game, averaging 1.77 steals per contest.

To get an idea of just how dominant he has been defensively, Noel also ranks eighth in the entire NBA in blocks per game, with an average of 1.89 per contest, and is the only player in the league to rank in the top 10 in both of those major defensive categories. He also remains the only player league-wide with over 100 total steals and 100 total blocks on the season.

In only his first season, Noel has already established himself as probably the best steal-generating big man in the game, His quick hands help to generate a lot of those steals, as he is often able to pop the ball loose from an unsuspecting big about to make a move, or interrupt a pass in the paint This hand-speed also helps him to compensate for his lack of size against some of the league's bulkier post players.

His quick foot-speed, especially for his size, also helps Noel to generate some steals, as he can seamlessly switch onto a perimeter player off of a pick-and-roll, often times surprising the opposing offense which in turn leads to steal opportunities. Noel has had multiple solo fast-breaks for slam dunks this season off of steals he has generated above the opposing key.

Take a look at the below graphic, courtesy of NBATV's The Starters:

Noel stands out as the only big man on the list, and also, of course as the only rookie.

Defensively, the freshly-minted 21-year old former Kentucky Wildcat is playing beyond his age and experience. His ability to both protect the paint and to generate steals is uncanny, and in just a single season, he has already established himself as arguably the league's best steal-producing big man.

Noel will be central to the Sixers development of a dominant defense moving forward, and if his rookie season is any indication, it appears as though he is really going to be something special on that side of the ball.