Detroit Pistons rookie Cade Cunningham hadn’t lost many games throughout his basketball career prior to entering the NBA, but the No. 1 pick is trying to use that experience this season to his benefit.
Cunningham and the Pistons have the second-worst record in the NBA at 13-45 amidst their rebuilding efforts. They experienced a 14-game losing streak earlier this season and just snapped an eight-game drought on Wednesday with a win over the Boston Celtics.
Of course, to draft Cunningham last year, Detroit had the second-worst record to secure the No. 1 overall selection. The team knew it would be once again competing for a high draft pick but the circumstances are still difficult to get through as a highly-competitive player like Cunningham.
Cunningham, speaking on Friday ahead of the NBA Rising Stars game in Cleveland, Ohio, made it clear that he strongly dislikes losing. However, Cunningham, and the rest of the team, are growing through the situation this season.
It has been a tough experience so far losing so many games. A lot of us haven’t lost this many games in our life. That has definitely been tough but I think we’ve grown toward each other and kinda gravitated toward each other because we’re the only ones that can get each other out of the situation. I’ve learned a lot this year already but I feel like I’ve grown as a player and as a person.
Cunningham, the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for January, is averaging 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.3 steals in 44 games. He leads the rookie class in scoring average and is second in assists and steals.
The 20-year-old has dazzled, giving the organization and its fans one bright spot throughout the down year. On Jan. 25, Cunningham joined Michael Jordan as the only two rookies in NBA history to record at least 30 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and four blocks in a single game.
Cunningham has also hit numerous milestones and accolades within Pistons history. He became the youngest Piston to record a triple-double and also has the most games (5) with at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in team history through their first 44 games.
Despite the down year in Detroit, Cunningham is showcasing why he was the No. 1 pick and has his name firmly in the mix as a Rookie of the Year front-runner, as a result. That may be a good consolation prize for the team with all things considered.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
[lawrence-related id=49408,49080,44993]
[mm-video type=video id=01fw6smjz50wjg4mzksn playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01fw6smjz50wjg4mzksn/01fw6smjz50wjg4mzksn-10b31238e1c345f303167bec7e7c6a26.jpg]
[listicle id=72549]