Entering the NBA as a highly-touted scorer out of the University of Arizona, Stanley Johnson has received a rude awakening upon coming into the league, struggling to find his footing and make a niche in the NBA.

The 6-foot-7 forward has seen his minutes diminished from his rookie year to last season, still having much to prove to the Detroit Pistons and their fan base.

“If you would have told me two years ago that I'd be averaging four points and three rebounds a game in the NBA, I never would have believed you,” a humbled Johnson told Yaron Weitzman of Bleacher Report. “Thing is, the NBA life is not the easiest life to live. Being a professional athlete is an everyday process, and it takes time to learn that.”

Asked if he has indeed learned the process of what it takes to be an athlete in the league, Johnson nodded.

“I think I have,” he said. “I thought at first that being in the NBA was all about basketball. That there's so much more to it was one of the hardest things for me to learn.”

Johnson is at the brink of a contract year and will need to show a completely different output if he hopes to remain in the Motor City. Thus far, a career field goal percentage of 36.7 will not cut it for the Pistons or any other team in the league, but head coach Stan Van Gundy will start with defense first-and-foremost, then let his offense come along.