"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," the All-Star power forward relayed. "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."

Anthony Edwards spearheaded a decisive third-quarter surge, scoring 11 of his 30 points during a 17-0 run that broke a halftime tie and shifted momentum firmly in Minnesota's favor. Julius Randle complemented Edwards' performance by contributing 31 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

Former Laker Julius Randle is excelling with the Timberwolves, and he said late Lakers great Kobe Bryant helped shape his mentality.