Kobe Bryant has scored at least 50 points in three straight games, sinking two free throws at the 8:08 mark of the fourth quarter against Memphis to give him the honor.

Hitting form at the right time, Bryant has followed up on a 65 point performance against Portland on March 16 with 50 points against the Timberwolves two nights later, and now 60 against the Grizzlies on Thursday night, with the Lakers winning all three games.

The Lakers currently hold the seventh seed in the West.

Memphis Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West announced today the team has recalled forward Alexander Johnson from the NBA Development League?s Arkansas RimRockers, the Grizzlies? D-League affiliate.

Johnson was assigned to the RimRockers on March 1, and in five games (four starts) averaged 13.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 26.4 minutes per game.  

Prior to being assigned to Arkansas, Johnson was averaging 5.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 13.9 minutes in 44 games with the Grizzlies.   He scored a career-high 23 points at Washington (12/26) and posted his third double-double of the season with 10 points and a career-high 10 rebounds on Feb. 7 at Dallas.

On Wednesday, Jerry West and Michael Heisley touted the Grizzlies' young talent and the potential to bring in a standout free agent.

As for current star Pau Gasol and his trade request, Heisley said, "We will trade Pau Gasol if we get something that is going to make the team better... Quite honestly, if we could improve the team, we probably would trade him whether he asked to be traded or not traded."

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said Wednesday he has no active offers before him to buy the NBA team, though it is still up for sale.

North Carolina real estate developer Brian Davis, who failed late last year to raise the $252 million Heisley wants for his majority share of the team, is still looking for investors but does not have them yet, Heisley said before a "state of the franchise" meeting with season ticket holders.

"As far as I'm concerned, Davis doesn't have an offer on the table because he doesn't have the financing," Heisley said.

Memphis guard Chucky Atkins is one of several veteran players challenging teammates to keep fighting despite their league-worst 16-49 record.

Truth is, no team feels sorry for the Griz. And no team that cares about playoff seeding or a possible berth wants to look back on Memphis as a "bad" loss.

"This is the NBA. No Babies Allowed," Atkins said. "If a team gets a chance to embarrass you, they'll embarrass you. I know if I get the chance I'm going to embarrass your (butt)."

"Those teams trying to get into the playoffs are fighting. There's no easy game whether we're going to the playoffs or not. If we don't go out there and compete and play like we want to win, then we'll get embarrassed. I'm not trying to get embarrassed."

"I don't know if it's because we're young, or guys are giving up or guys are ready for the season to end. For me, I don't care if we play 100 more games or 10 more games, I'm going to give it my all. That's all I know how to do."

Asked about a quick fix, Atkins remained blunt.

"We," he said, "just have to grow up."

Despite Chucky Atkins missing his fifth straight game Saturday night because of a sprained right ankle, he's eyeing Monday as a return date, the Memphis Commercial Appeal is reporting.

Swelling and pain have subsided in the ankle -- developments that Atkins said were encouraging before the Griz faced the Charlotte Bobcats.

"I'm a whole lot better than I was yesterday because I couldn't walk without it stinging," Atkins said. "But I woke up (Saturday) morning feeling great. Two more days of rest will do me good. Hopefully, I'll be ready on Monday."

Pistons All-Star guard Chauncey Billups acknowledged he would consider Memphis as a free-agent destination in the offseason. Billups is expected to exercise a player option on a contract paying $6.9 million next season.

He'll likely enter the summer as the top-rated player available. And the Grizzlies are positioned as serious shoppers for the first time.

Memphis is expected to have at least $10 million in salary cap room , and has already decided to target a big-time point guard.

Billups fits the bill with his offensive prowess and defensive ability, and interest.

"I would be lying if I said with 20-something games left until the playoffs that I wasn't thinking about my future," Billups said. "When the time comes, I've got to consider all of my options. I know this is one team with a lot of money that's looking to get a point guard. I'm going to have to consider this option when the time comes. But right now, my focus is trying to win a championship with my team."

Memphis Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West announced today the team has assigned forward Alexander Johnson to the NBA Development League's Arkansas RimRockers, the Grizzlies' D-League affiliate.

Johnson has averaged 5.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 13.9 minutes in 44 games this season. He scored a career-high 23 points on Dec. 26 at Washington and posted his third double-double of the season with 10 points and a career-high 10 rebounds on Feb. 7 at Dallas.

Memphis Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West announced today the team has signed guard Lorinza ?Junior? Harrington for the remainder of the 2006-07 season.

In eight games for Memphis, Harrington has averaged 3.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 9.4 minutes. He set season-highs in points (11), rebounds (4) and assists (3) vs. the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets on Feb. 13.