After the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round in five games against the Denver Nuggets, one of the team's legends was extra critical of the early exit.

Following the Lakers' loss in Game 5 on Monday night, Magic Johnson tweeted on Tuesday: "The Lakers have nobody but themselves to blame. They wouldn't have been in the play-in game or finished as a [seventh] seed this season if they hadn't lost too many games because of load management."

Despite Johnson's assertion, load management was not the true source of the Lakers' issues this season. Star forward LeBron James played 71 games this season, the most in his six-year tenure in Los Angeles. Star big man Anthony Davis played 76 games, the most of his 12-year career. Key role players Austin Reaves and D'Angelo Russell played in 82 games and 76 games, respectively.

Instead, the Lakers were mired by a lack of execution in key games, including in their first-round series against the Nuggets. Los Angeles dropped a heartbreaker in Game 5 when Denver point guard Jamal Murray drilled a go-ahead jumper with three seconds left in the fourth quarter. It was Murray's second game-winning shot of the series.

The Lakers are entering the offseason with a slew of questions, the most important of which pertain to their head coach. Darvin Ham has faced criticism for his coaching decisions throughout his second year at the helm, so Los Angeles could opt for someone more experienced to lead the team going forward.

As James enters his 22nd season in the NBA, the 39-year-old is still competing at a high level. However, he made no secret of his legendary career nearing its end, so it will be important for the Lakers to figure out the best way to have the team in title contention next season.