The San Antonio Spurs were supposed to be an elite team this season. Right now they are 1-5 on the road and have a worse record than the OKC Thunder. No disrespect to Kevin Durant's boys but that is FAR from elite. The off season was busy and on the surface seemed productive and full of optimism but in reality it brought them to the "Great Regression". The Spurs front office made a bold move over the summer and traded for Milwaukee Bucks swingman Richard Jefferson (RJ) . Despite never making an all-star team, Jefferson brought with him a career 17 point per game (ppg) average and the successful resume of being a second, third or fourth option for his entire career. As a member of a team with championship aspirations Jefferson's game has taken a step back to say the least. He is currently averaging 12.8ppg which would be the lowest since his rookie year and his .434% FG shooting is the second worst of his career and lowest in six seasons. RJ did go through a little marital issue in the off season so maybe his mind is still on a love lost. He surely is not on making an impact on the basketball court.

Manu Ginobili has been a dynamic player on two of his three Finals appearances with the Spurs. He has proven over the years he is a reliable scorer and playmaker off the bench. He can break your heart with his reckless decision making (check the second round series versus Dallas in 2006) but for the most part he is a reliable clutch performer with lots of big game experience. Two seasons ago in the game prior to all-star weekend out in Vegas, Manu hit eight 3 pointers on the last game of the annual rodeo trip in Cleveland to lead the Spurs to victory with 46 points. More significant is the Spurs were without previous seasons Finals MVP Tony Parker. Two games later Manu was back at it again hitting the game winner in Minnesota while scoring 44 points. He was regarded by many coaches and players in the conference, at that time, as the second best shooting guard in the west next to a certain fellow in L.A. Ginobili averaged a career high 19.5 ppg that season but has headed downhill faster than a snowball on an ice capped mountain since then. He has been unable to stay healthy with various nagging injuries and his free-for-all play has suffered tremendously. This season he has hit an all time low. He is averaging 12.7 ppg which would be the worst since his rookie season and he is shooting a career worst 36.8% from the field and this is a CONTRACT year. Not good at all. If he is going to finish his career as a Spur it will be at a HUGE discount which means in all likelihood he and the Spurs will be moving on.

San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker (9), of France, yells at a teammate during the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Friday, Nov. 27, 2009, in Houston. The Spurs defeated the Rockets 92-84. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Speaking of Mr. Parker, there was chatter that the Spurs were now Parker's team and his growth as a player would bring the Spurs back to a championship level. As the saying goes today C'MON SON! Parker averaged career highs in points (22) and assists (6.9) last season. He was arguably the best point guard in the first half of the NBA last season. He became the first player since Michael Jordan (16 years earlier) to have at least 50 points and 10 assists in the same game. Well as fate would have it he was injured in the very next game and would miss the next nine games after that. Since then he has NEVER been the same. He is currently averaging 17.6 ppg which is his lowest total since 04-05' and his assist average is at its lowest point in three years. In order for Parker to be effective he must put the pressure on defenses by attacking the rim and hitting open jumpers. If either is not effective he just becomes a ball handler. He rarely creates for his teammates and cannot be relied upon on the defensive end. Basically he has been the perfect byproduct of playing with a Hall of Fame front court player (Tim Duncan) and excellent coaching (Greg Pop). Sometimes I think he forgets that he is not playing on the playgrounds near the Eiffel Tower.

Duncan is on the backend of his career but just as he has done throughout his legendary tenure with the team he finds himself leading the club in scoring (19.1), rebounding (10.8) and double doubles (9). He is shooting career highs 55% from the field and 77% from the line. He is used to carrying the Spurs on his shoulders but at this stage in his career it is counter productive. His knees cannot hold the weight of holding up former all stars and career sidekicks and if he falls victim to the Great Regression - ALL IS LOST.