As for all no. 1 overall picks in the NBA, expectations were massive for Cade Cunningham when he was selected by the Detroit Pistons. After a stellar career at Oklahoma State, the do-it-all guard was seen as the new savior of the downtrodden Pistons.

Cunningham, however, struggled in his first few weeks in the league, with his efficiency being the most glaring dud. But after getting his feet wet, the Pistons upstart showed why he's high on everybody's radar. Now, he has a strong chance to win as Rookie of the Year.

That possibility for Cunningham was not being entertained by many during the first few weeks of the season, with fellow newcomers Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, and Franz Wagner grabbing the headlines. But the 20-year-old Cunningham remained even-keeled and stayed focused on getting better (via Detroit Pistons' Twitter).

“The whole Rookie of the Year thing and people downplaying me early, I never let it get to my head. I just try to lock in. I know it's going to be a long season.”

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Reed Sheppard, Zaccharie Risacher and Rob Dillingham wearing Pistons jerseys

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Mikal Bridges in a Pistons jersey with Cade Cunningham

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Magic F Paolo Banchero & Franz Wagner and a text bubble from Paolo saying 'We Need To Score More!' against the Cavs

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On Tuesday night, Cunningham almost led the Pistons over the Brooklyn Nets, losing a close one, 130-123. He matched his career-high with 34 points on 13-of-24 shooting from the field. He also had six assists and two steals.

The race for the Rookie of the Year will be a tight one. But whatever happens, Cunningham has definitely proven that getting overlooked only fuels him to get better.