The Los Angeles Lakers have won 10 of their first 12 games in the 2026-27 season, and on Monday, it took a resilient effort for the Lakers to hold on for a 124-114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. What made this victory even more noteworthy was that they were on the second night of a back-to-back, and they beat another strong Eastern Conference team in the Detroit Pistons even though Luka Doncic wasn't active for that contest (he returned on Monday vs. the Hawks).

It was clear that the Lakers wanted to get more athletic and surround Doncic with players who fit better in a system that's centered around his all-world scoring and playmaking talent. And their moves this offseason, after looking uninspired and seemingly not the best use of resources, have proven to be genius from the team's front office.

Now, Lakers legend Magic Johnson recognized not just the physical change this team has undergone, but also the mental shift that came along with it.

“Last year, the Lakers were a slow team that got beat in transition – but not this season. This team is mentally and physically tougher, and that’s why they’re 10-2!” Johnson wrote on his official account on X.

The Lakers had more of a veteran team last season, particularly with LeBron James, a 41-year-old star, featuring prominently in their rotation. It's understandable as to why LA played at a more unhurried pace.

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But with young and athletic players such as Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton, Ziaire Williams, Quentin Grimes, and Jake LaRavia, among others, now on the roster, the Lakers can now play at a more breakneck pace — especially when Austin Reaves is the one at the controls.

Size and speed reign supreme in today's NBA that requires players to cover so much ground, both vertically and laterally, and the Lakers made a concerted effort to keep up with the times. And it's working — as Johnson, a true legend in every sense of the word, pointed out.