Memphis Grizzlies rookie Xavier Henry learning by taking on the best the NBA has to offer

Xavier Henry made his move, charged toward the rim and attempted a shot that didn't fall in a one-on-one game following practice.

Henry cried foul. His opposition, Rudy Gay, smirked and then gave Henry a little reality check.

"You think Kobe's not going to foul you?" Gay said.

Another day, another big-time lesson for Henry. The Grizzlies' rookie out of Kansas will make his fifth consecutive start tonight when Kobe Bryant and the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers visit FedExForum.

O.J. Mayo recently went to the bench to bolster the reserves' impact on games, and Henry received the unexpected promotion.

"We'll basically get to see what he's made of," Gay said of Henry, with whom he plays one-on-one regularly.

"I've got Joe Johnson (of Atlanta) the next night," Henry said. "I just have to keep my body ready and my mind focused so I can compete. I know you've got to be physical with Kobe because Kobe likes to be physical. He takes his time, too. So you have to be ready to dig in."