Notebook: Pistons able to score on 12-straight possessions

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Spurs notebook: Pistons able to score on 12-straight possessions

Web Posted: 01/11/2008 12:45 AM CST

Mike Monroe
Express-News

There may have been another game during Tim Duncan's 10-plus seasons in which the Spurs gave up baskets on 12 consecutive defensive possessions, as they did in their 90-80 loss to the Pistons on Thursday, but Duncan couldn't recall one.
"No," he said, "and I didn't know we did that, and that kind of speaks to the kind of game we had tonight. We can't have a situation where they score that many times in a row."

The Pistons failed to score on a possession that ended with an Antonio McDyess miss with 3:52 left in the first period. They did not have another pointless possession until McDyess missed another shot, this one with 8:12 left in the second period.

In between were 12-straight productive possessions, two included put-back baskets.

"Whether it be layups or open shots," Duncan said, "we just have to be better physically and better mentally."

Introducing ... The revolving door to the Spurs' locker room continues to spin.

The latest player added to the team's roster: guard/forward Jeremy Richardson.

Richardson signed a 10-day contract Thursday and suited up for the Spurs' game against the Detroit Pistons at AT&T Center.

The 6-foot-7, 195-pound swingman from Delta State was signed out of the National Basketball Development League on Dec. 20. Scoreless in three games with the Grizzlies, he was waived on Jan. 7.

"He's another D-League player we'll take a look at," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. We'll watch him in practice and see how he develops; see what he's like as a person and a player and see if he fits what we're working for."

Richardson averaged 28.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists with the NBDL's Fort Wayne Mad Ants before Memphis signed him in December.

He is the fifth player the Spurs have called up from the NBDL, but the first who did not play for their Austin Toros affiliate. Earlier, the team had called up Darius Washington, Marcus Williams, Keith Langford and DerMarr Johnson.

Barry to practice: Guard Brent Barry is scheduled for his first full-contact scrimmage when the Spurs practice today, but is not likely to return to the active list for Saturday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Barry has missed eight games since suffering a torn left calf muscle.

"I think he'll be back sometime next week," Popovich said. "He goes one-on-one in contact tomorrow for the first time."

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"I think he'll be back sometime next week," Popovich said. "He goes one-on-one in contact tomorrow for the first time."

Next Thursday against Cleveland looks like a good time to bring back Barry. The Spurs will have a couple days of practice before then and Barry should know whether he's healthy enough to play.