He's not an aging star trying desperately to win an elusive title. He's Kobe fucking Bryant, superstar, all time great, insanely rich, a bunch of NBA titles MVP's on the mantle, playing for a shitty team this year that was going nowhere with or without him.
Again, not seeing the sympathy factor here and the #PrayForKobe stuff is over the top. He doesn't have cancer, he hurt his foot. Let's relax.