Top Ten All-Time NBA Playoffs Turnover Leaders: You Might Be Surprised!

Derrick Rose's seven turnovers may have cost the Chicago Bulls not only Game 4 of the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, but may have, for all practical purposes, knocked his team out of this year's NBA Playoffs.

Turnovers are costly, especially in close games.

They are responsible for snuffing out comebacks, giving away leads, and ruining possessions.

Reducing turnovers is a quick way to change the overall play of any team at any level.

But, you might be surprised at some of the players who have turned the ball over the most in NBA Playoff History.

We're not talking about a marginal, incompetent, flash-in-the-pan group.

The Top Ten list of Career playoff leaders in turnovers consists of seven Hall of Famers and three future HOFs.

The teams listed on each slide are the one's that the player was on in the playoffs, not necessarily all of the teams on which they may have played throughout their career.

Before you view this slideshow, see how many of these ten turnover leaders you can name!

10. Dennis Johnson

http://themixtapemonster.wordpress.com/2010/04/07/where-you-at-wednesday-1984-nba-champion-boston-celtics/

Point Guard

Seattle SuperSonics (1978–1980)
Phoenix Suns (1981–1983)
Boston Celtics (1984–1990)

DJ developed a reputation for being a solid all-around player who could score but also play tough defense.

Johnson was a three-time NBA Champion, an NBA Finals MVP and a five-time NBA All-Star, and he committed 480 turnovers in 180 playoff games, for a 2.67 tpg average.

9. Larry Bird

Shooting Forward

Boston Celtics (1980–1992)

Larry Bird was one of the premier forwards in NBA history.

He is currently No. 27 in league scoring (21,791). 

He was a three-time NBA Champion, three-time NBA MVP, two-time NBA Finals MVP and a 12-time All-Star, who committed 517 turnovers in 182 playoff games (3.09 tpg).

8. John Stockton

Harry How/Getty Images

4 Apr 2000: John Stockton #12 of the Utah Jazz battles for a loose ball with Etdrick Bohannon #41 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Mandatory Credit: Harry How/ALLSPORT

Point Guard

Utah Jazz (1985–2003)

John Stockton was one of the best pure Point Guards in NBA history.

He finished his career as the all-time league leader in both assists (15,806) and steals (3,265).

Stockton was a 10-time NBA All-Star and the 1993 NBA All-Star Game MVP who committed 517 turnovers in 182 playoff games (2.84 tpg).  

7. Tim Duncan

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 03: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs has the ball knocked away by Ron Artest #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers as Manu Ginobili #20 and Pau Gasol #16 look for a rebound during the first half at Staples Center on February 3,

Power Forward/Center

San Antonio Spurs (1998–1999, 2001–2011)

Tim Duncan is one of the great power forwards and most consistent players in NBA history.

He has earned All-NBA and All-Defensive honors every season since his rookie year in 1998.

While Duncan has been one of the regular season league-leaders throughout his career in points, rebounds, and blocked shots, his post-season numbers are even better.

Duncan is a four-time NBA Champion, a three-time NBA Finals MVP, a two-time NBA MVP, a 13-time NBA All-Star who has committed 527 turnovers in 176 playoff games (2.99 tpg).

6. Michael Jordan

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

10 Jun 1998: Michael Jordan #23 the Chicago Bulls in action against John Stockton of the Utah Jazz during the NBA Finals Game 4 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Jazz 86-82. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

Shooting Guard

Chicago Bulls (1985–1993, 1995–1998)

Michael Jordan is the best player in NBA History.

Jordan won the NBA Scoring title in 10 seasons (NBA record) and tied the record set by Wilt Chamberlain for seven consecutive scoring titles.

He also dominated the game on the defensive end of the court as well, being named to the NBA All-Defensive Team nine times (a record shared with Gary Payton).

Jordan is a six-time NBA Champion, six-time NBA Finals MVP, five-time NBA MVP and a 14-time NBA All-Star who committed 546 turnovers in 179 playoff games (3.05 tpg).

5. Karl Malone

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

18 Mar 1999: Karl Malone #32 of the Utah Jazz in action during the game against the Washington Wizards at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. The Jazz defeated the Wizards 95-87. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport

Power Forward

Utah Jazz (1986–2003)
Los Angeles Lakers (2004)

Karl Malone was one of the top Power Forwards in NBA History.

He finished his career as the NBA's No. 2 All-Time scorer (36,928 points) behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

He is the league's leader in defensive rebounds, as well as attempted and made free throws.

Malone was a two-time NBA MVP, three-time NBA All-Defensive First Team member and committed 550 turnovers in 193 playoff games (2.85 tpg).

4. Scottie Pippen

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

13 Apr 1998: Scottie Pippen #33 of the Chicago Bulls is guarded by Dale Davis (L), Rik Smits #45 (C), and Derrick McKey (R) of the Indiana Pacers during a game at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Pacers defeated the Bulls 114-105. Mandatory Cr

Small Forward

Chicago Bulls (1988–1998)
Houston Rockets (1999)
Portland Trail Blazers (2000–2003)

Scottie Pippen is one of the best small forwards in NBA league history.

Pippen was known for his skills at both ends of the court.

He was selected for the NBA All-Defensive team ten years.

In his 17-year career, Pippen made it to the playoffs 16 consecutive seasons. He is No. 3 in post-season games played behind Robert Horry and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.  

He was a six-time NBA Champion and a seven-time NBA All-Star who committed 602 turnovers in 208 playoff games (2.89 tpg).

3. Kobe Bryant

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 02: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers falls down as Pau Gasol #16 looses the ball in front of Jason Kidd #2 and Tyson Chandler #6 of the Dallas Mavericks late in the fourth quarter in Game One of the Western Conference Semif

Shooting Guard

Los Angeles Lakers (1997–2004, 2006–2011)

Kobe Bryant is one of the best shooting guards in league history.

Bryant is currently No. 6 among the NBA's All-Time leading scorers (27,868 points) and No. 3 in Career Playoff Points scored (5,280).

He has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team 11 times.

Bryant is a five-time NBA Champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, the 2008 NBA MVP and a 13-time NBA All-Star who has committed 613 turnovers in 208 playoff games (2.95 tpg).  

2. Shaquille O'Neal

Elsa/Getty Images

BOSTON - MAY 13: Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics and Shaquille O'Neal #33 of the Cleveland Cavaliers fight for the ball during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2010 NBA playoffs at TD Garden on May 13, 2010 in Boston, Massa

Center

Orlando Magic (1994–1996)
Los Angeles Lakers (1997–2004)
Miami Heat (2005–2007)
Phoenix Suns (2008)
Cleveland Cavaliers (2010)
Boston Celtics (2011)

Shaquille O'Neal has been one of the most dominating Big Men in the NBA over the last two decades.

He won the NBA MVP, All-Star game MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same year (2000). Only Willis Reed (1970) and Michael Jordan in (1996) and (1998) have accomplished this feat.

O'Neal currently ranks No. 5 in all-time points (28,596), No. 5 in made field goals, No. 7 in blocked shots and No. 12 in rebounds.

Shaq is a four-time NBA Champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP, the 2000 NBA MVP, a 15-time NBA All-Star who has committed 649 turnovers in 216 playoff games (3 tpg).

1. Magic Johnson

Mike Powell/Getty Images

Guard Earvin (Magic) Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers moves the ball during a game.

Point Guard

Los Angeles Lakers (1980–1991, 1996)

Magic Johnson revolutionized the Point Guard position.

With his unbelievable ball-handling and play-making skills, Johnson changed the way people thought about a Big Man playing guard.

Johnson is the league's all-time career leader in assists per game (11.2).

Magic is a five-time NBA Champion, a three-time NBA Finals MVP, a three-time NBA MVP, and a 12-time NBA All-Star who leads the NBA by committing 696 turnovers in 190 playoff games (3.66 tpg)