Julius Randle Says Anthony Edwards Has 'Kobe-Like' Belief, Isn't Scared of Big Moments

Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards is on the verge of leading his team to the Western Conference Finals for the second straight year, and one of his teammates compared his demeanor to the legendary Kobe Bryant.

"I have been around a lot of great players. He is as confident in his belief in himself as … it's Kobe-like. And I was around Kobe," Timberwolves forward Julius Randle told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "He's not scared of any moment and he wants those moments. His belief and confidence in who he is as a player is the highest I've ever seen or been around, for anybody."

Edwards spearheaded Minnesota's back-to-back-to-back wins over the Golden State Warriors to take a commanding 3-1 series lead in the conference semifinals entering Wednesday night's Game 5. He scored 30 points in Monday's 117-110 victory, his second straight 30-point game in the series. Across nine postseason games this year, the 23-year-old has averaged 27.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.6 steals.

In addition to his individual dominance, Edwards has reached a point in his maturation process to where he no longer feels the need to rely on playing hero ball and can instead trust his teammates.

"My first couple of times in the playoffs down the stretch, I always just wanted to win the game myself," Edwards told McMenamin. "Because growing up, when you watch the games, you always think like, 'Oh, they always hit the big shots!' But sometimes they make the extra pass, the right play."

Edwards will try to continue making the right plays as the Timberwolves look to end the Warriors' season on Wednesday night. Game 5 is scheduled to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT.