The Golden State Warriors are known for their offense, but the team has also produced many defensive stalwarts throughout their history. Here are the top five players in Golden State Warriors history in steals per game per season.

1. Rick Barry (1975, 2.9 per game)
The NBA didn't start tracking steals until 1974, but Barry led the league in steals with 2.9 per game in his second season. Not only did he excel on defense, he also averaged 30.6 points and 6.2 assists per game, leading the Warriors to a championship and earning Finals MVP honors.

2. Tim Hardaway (1991, 2.6 per game)
In 1991, Hardaway averaged 2.6 steals in 39 minutes per game for the Warriors, setting a career high. He played a total of 422 games with the Warriors, averaging 19.8 points and 9.3 assists per game.

3. Rick Barry (1976, 2.5 per game)
A year later, Barry made the list again. While he didn't lead the league this time, he still led the league with 2.5 steals. He also averaged 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, earning him another All-Star and All-NBA selection.

4. Mookie Blaylock (2001, 2.4 per game)
Blaylock is known for his defense and twice led the league in steals with the Atlanta Hawks. In 2001, his second season with the Warriors was still efficient, averaging 2.4 steals per game.

5. Baron Davis (2008, 2.3 per game)
Davis averaged 2.3 steals per game in 2008, ranking third in the league. He averaged 20.1 points and 8.1 assists in 227 games for the Warriors, making him the team's soul.

From Barry to Davis, the Golden State Warriors' defensive tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, allowing this team, which is known for its offense, to always maintain a strong defensive gene.