So Society values more the ability to jump high and dunk a basketball than the ability of a guy who studied hundreds of thousands of hours to become good at an occupation that saves lives and avoids tons of heartache.
Not society... the free market.
Kobe can put 15,000 asses in chairs at $70 a ticket, anytime he puts on a uniform. And a lot more on TV.
A company can put out a Kobe jersey and millions of kids will buy it.
A company can put his name on anything, and it'll sell.
If the doctor invents something to save lives and sells it at $1000 each, yes, he might make just as much money. But simply performing procedures, he might save 5 lives a day. Kobe has convinced millions to shell out the $ each day to view his playing or wear his likeness.