Kobe Bryant injured his shoulder, then decided to play left-handed (Ball Don’t Lie)

Kobe Bryant's toughness is not and never really has been in question. The Los Angeles Lakers icon has played injured on many occasions, often appearing to sacrifice his long-term health for a better chance at regular-season wins. If there were any remaining questions about his tolerance for pain, Kobe answered them in April 2013 after he shot two free throws a few seconds after snapping his Achilles tendon against the Golden State Warriors. Normal players would not even contemplate continuing, even in a dead-ball situation. That well-established reputation both does and doesn't explain Kobe's decision to play hurt during Wednesday night's Lakers game at the New Orleans Pelicans. With a few minutes left in the third quarter, Kobe went up for a dunk and finished. On his way up the court, though, he grabbed his right shoulder and left the game soon after. [ Follow Dunks Don't Lie on Tumblr: The best slams from all of basketball ] Most athletes would have stayed on the bench in such a situation, particularly with the Lakers not putting up much of a challenge to the Pelicans midway through the fourth quarter. However, with five minutes left and the Lakers down 88-75, Bryant reentered...