Every team hopes its young star will eventually become the player who can change its fortunes. Sometimes, though, the bigger challenge is finding a player who can make everyone around him better. Detroit Pistons fans might be watching that happen with Cade Cunningham.

Cunningham put together the best performance of his NBA career Thursday night, scoring 52 points in a double-overtime victory. He added 11 assists and five rebounds, shooting 16-of-25 from the floor without committing a single turnover. He also became the first player in NBA history to record at least 50 points and 10 assists without a turnover.

Those are extraordinary numbers. But I think there’s something else worth watching here. Cunningham isn’t just becoming a terrific individual player. He’s becoming the kind of player a team can build its confidence around.

Cunningham Is Giving Detroit More Than Points

There is a difference between being the best player on a team and becoming the player who lifts the entire team. Cunningham appears to be moving toward that second category. Detroit improved to 8-3 with Thursday’s win and has been doing it without Jalen Duren, one of its most important players. That’s worth remembering. The Pistons aren’t simply waiting for their best players to get healthy before they can compete. Cunningham is giving them a reason to believe they can win right now.

Look at those 11 assists and zero turnovers. Scoring 52 points gets the headlines, but those other numbers tell us something about how he plays. He’s creating opportunities for teammates, controlling possessions and taking responsibility when the game gets tight. That’s the sort of leadership that can spread through a locker room.

The Best Part Might Still Be Ahead

Cunningham is in his sixth NBA season, but at 25, he still has plenty of basketball ahead of him. Detroit has also built a promising group around him, and Duren’s eventual return could add another dimension. Their combination was already effective last season. Imagine what another year of experience and confidence might bring.

Of course, one spectacular night doesn’t guarantee a championship or even another Eastern Conference title. The NBA is a long season, and Detroit will have its share of difficult nights. But there’s something encouraging about watching a young player grow into the responsibility of leading a team. Cunningham seems comfortable with that responsibility, and his teammates appear to be responding.

For Pistons fans, the excitement might not be just about having a player who can score 52 points. It might be about having a player who makes the people around him believe they can accomplish something special. That’s when a young star really starts to change a franchise.

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