LOS ANGELES — It was the warm moments that are imprinted in Elie Seckbach’s mind when he thinks about Kobe Bryant; kindness, and lots of laughter. 

The freelance Israeli American sports presenter says Bryant always had his back, even as a young and hungry journalist.

And that was the ultimate score.

As Seckbach played basketball at the Venice Beach courts, he shared some of his first moments interviewing Bryant. 

“So I’m interviewing him, and as I’m asking him are you the next Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson walks by, and Magic stops our interview and says, ‘No, he is going to be the first Kobe,’ and that’s my first interaction with Kobe ever. Very polite. Very friendly. Really mature,” Seckbach said. 

And even while Bryant was both disciplined and mature, he still made sure to have fun. Seckbach recalled losing a bet with Bryant after he made a half court shot that resulted in 200 pushups. 

Seckbach said that while people knew Bryant to be overly confident on the court, he knew him to be overly compassionate.  

“He was nice to the janitor. He was nice to the CEO. And just watching how professional he was at all times, that’s when you know it’s genuine. He cared a lot for the homeless here in LA, but not once have you ever seen him post a video or a selfie, ‘Hey, look at me,’ which a lot of celebrities do.” 

As Seckbach’s mind spun reflecting on how Bryant inspired him, he said it was Bryant’s faith, inside and out, that really stood out. 

“What’s the secret?” Seckbach asked Bryant after a game.

“Hard work. I work hard. I have fun, and I believe I can do it. If you can believe you can do it, then you can achieve anything,” Bryant said with a smile.

It was that passionate sense of belief, paired with his lighthearted spirit, that kept Seckbach covering him for years.

“Kobe was unique. He had an intensity like none other, but a sense of humor like none other, very witty, very smart. I never left one interview with him without a smile.”