Cade learned that 'nobody will care until you're winning' as a rookie

Cade Cunningham had an impressive first NBA season, earning an All-Rookie first-team selection and finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting. However, he knows it'll take more than individual accolades to gain respect from some around the league.

The Detroit Pistons star recently opened up about a key lesson he learned as a rookie in an interview with Deyscha Smith of Slam Magazine.

"I think the biggest thing I learned is that the league, the media, nobody will care until you're winning," Cunningham said. "I could feel bad for myself all I want about (how) people didn't respect or appreciate the season I had, or anything, but I didn't win a lot of games. So, I think that's been the biggest thing that I've locked in on, and I decided within.

"I have to win games if I want people to respect my name, and if not, then I can't be mad at people not watching enough games and how I really play. That's the challenge that I've tried to take on. I've talked to teammates (and) we're all trying to take that challenge on. I think that's the next step for us."

The Pistons finished 14th in the Eastern Conference this season with a 23-59 record, missing the playoffs for the third straight year. They hold the No. 5 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.