The Oklahoma City Thunder continue to struggle and Russell Westbrook is taking responsibility for their issues.

“I just hate losing, man,” Westbrook said. “One thing I hate with a passion is losing and I know that a lot of that is on me. Every night I go out and try to leave everything I have on the floor, knowing that if we don't succeed, I know I missed something to make sure we put ourselves in position to win the game.

“I haven't been doing that. We haven't been winning. Regardless of numbers and all that, it doesn't really matter. You've gotta win games in this league to make an impact and that's the most important part to me is finding ways to get wins.”

Following their loss to the Magic, Westbrook lingered near Oklahoma City's bench before eventually returning to the locker room.

“It just started with a sense of urgency, man,” Westbrook said. “And that starts with me. It's my responsibility to make sure we're ready to play, we're ready to play on both sides of the ball.

“To get us out of this funk, we've gotta lock in. I take ownership of everything that's going on because I've been here and those standards that we set here in Oklahoma City I have to set them, and set examples. It starts with me and we're gonna turn this thing around.”

Russell Westbrook was complimentary of the job Sam Presti has done in rebooting the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Thunder acquired Paul George and Carmelo Anthony in the offseason.

"He's done an amazing job. He's done a great job ever since I've been here," Westbrook said of Presti. "He's finding ways to constantly keep making us a better team. You know ... you definitely are very, very thankful to have somebody like that in charge of making those decisions."

Westbrook signed an extension with the Thunder in September. 

Russell Westbrook said it is up to him to make things work with Carmelo Anthony and Paul George.

"That's a part of my job to make sure those guys are [comfortable]," Westbrook said. "Those guys are great players, and my job is to make sure they're comfortable, and in their spots, and comfortable with the things that best benefits their game."

Westbrook, George and Anthony are each accustomed to dominating the ball.

Westbrook has resisted the urge to shoot as frequently as he did last season.

"No, that was last year," Westbrook said. "This is a new year, new team."

Kevin Durant spoke about how he's finally moved on past his negative feelings towards the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Durant has yet to reconcile with Russell Westbrook or Sam Presti, and he was initially bothered by Okalhoma City's decision to allow PJ Dozier to wear No. 35.

"Those people really mean a lot to me to this day," Durant said. "No matter if they talk to me or they're mad at me. Whether it's Sam Presti or Troy Weaver or Russell Westbrook or Nick Collison. Whether it's Wilson Taylor or Clay Bennett and his family, I love them from the bottom of my heart. We're not talking, but eventually we will.

"I didn't have that perspective at first. I didn't have it when I went back to OKC. I was like, 'F--k all of them.' I didn't have it when they gave my number away. I was, 'F--k all of them.' My best friend works for the team, I told him, 'F--k all y'all. That's f--ked up.' Then I had to get out of my head, tell myself, 'It's not that serious, it is what it is.' I understand it's not my number anymore, they can do whatever they want with it, but you hand that number to a two-way player, you've got to be, like, 'Nah, we've got too many good memories with this number, man.' But at some point, that thing's going to be in the rafters anyway; it's all good. I did something they didn't like. They did something I didn't like. S--t happens. If I was on my death bed, I guarantee you Sam Presti and Russell Westbrook would come check on me. So I'm going to look at it that way rather than the other way."

The Oklahoma City Thunder are unlikely to continue with their current trajectory of an expensive roster and the luxury tax ramifications. The Thunder will have a luxury tax bill of approximately $25 million this season and it would be even higher in 18-19.

The Thunder signed Russell Westbrook to a $233 million extension in training camp while Paul George can sign a new deal this offseason.

"If we're being honest with ourselves, this is a one-year run with this team," said Wojnarowski on his podcast. "They have one chance with this team because they cannot bring back this team together next year. Even if Paul George re-signs and says 'I want to stay.' Financially, it is impossible for this team, I don't want to say remotely look the same, but the idea of Carmelo, Westbrook and George on the same roster withe Melo opting into his salary next year.

"This would be an incredible bill for the New York Knicks, the Lakers or Steve Ballmer to pay, nevermind Clay Bennett in a small market like Oklahoma City."

Wojnarowski, Royce Young and Bobby Marks talked about how their decision to decline the option on Josh Huestis as an example of how they're already making cost conscious moves.

The Oklahoma City Thunder held an extended closed door meeting following their loss at the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. The Thunder now have an 0-6 record against Western Conference teams.

“It was just good to get everything out on the table,” said Paul George. “Especially where we’re at right now, it’s no good if we’re bottling it up. Because then we could carry it over to the next game and the next game. Just leave everything out in the open.”

“I don’t think it’s frustration among ourselves,” Raymond Felton said. “It’s just frustration about losing. We got a lot of guys who hate to lose, a lot of guys who are big competitors. That’s a good spirit to have. I’ll take that all day. If we’re not frustrated, then that’s a big problem.”

“Obviously every year, every season you go through adversity,” Russell Westbrook said. “Right now we’re going through ours.”

“It can either go two ways,” Carmelo Anthony said. “We can let this one sit in our heads and think about it or we can put it behind us and move forward and get ready for tomorrow. That’s the beauty of being in this league and having so many games. I know we complain about back-to-backs, but sometimes the back-to-backs is in our favor as players, because you get a chance to put that game behind you and look forward to the next game.”

Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan, forward Paul George and guard Russell Westbrook have each been fined $15,000 for public criticism of the officiating.

The comments were made following the Thunder’s 103-99 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, Nov. 5 at Moda Center.