Kobe Bryant’s greatness on the court is beyond debate. But that doesn’t necessarily mean he was an easy teammate to share a locker room with. At times, Bryant pushed those around him to unhealthy limits because he believed everyone needed to have the same killer mindset he did.
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Anthony Edwards possesses a similar competitive drive to the Black Mamba. However, Ant isn’t the same when it comes to how he deals with teammates.
Edwards may look up to Bryant. Who doesn’t? And may have also picked up some of the Mamba Mindset. But Ant-Man seems to have steered clear of berating his Timberwolves teammates, which Kobe was known to indulge in. Maybe that’s why Edwards is so loved.
Julius Randle, who left New York for Minnesota in 2024, described the 24-year-old Edwards as an incredible teammate, nothing like the notoriously tough-to-please Bryant. Randle had played alongside Bryant in LA from 2014 to 2016.
“Just not knowing him, and then getting to Minnesota for the first time and seeing how good a person he is. He’s like, an unbelievable teammate,” stated Randle on The Old Man and the Three.
Every clip of Edwards that has gone viral shows him as a fun-loving guy to be around. He didn’t even shy away from making jokes in the presence of former U.S. President Barack Obama.
Randle used that compliment to bring up his time with Bryant. And although he loved the Mamba, he didn’t care for some of his tactics.
“I’ve been around assholes. I love Kobe. Kobe was an a***ole, bro. That is my brother, I love him to death, but that was just his mentality. He was just a no BS, no nonsense, tough love-type mentor,” described Randle.
While that may sound like an indictment of Bryant, we have heard many stories about the Lakers legend being tough on his teammates before. But then Julius also offered a different perspective on the legend.
“It’s also situational. Kobe was an a***ole, but he was also very charismatic, too. I think that was the development in his career. Like, ‘Oh no…I have to learn how to lead Paul Gasol different. I have to learn how to lead Andrew Bynum different,'” said Randle, who then came back to Edwards.
“Ant, he has the ultimate competitive drive, but he is your biggest fan. Biggest cheerleader, teammate. He wants to see you succeed,” he added.
Randle’s perspective highlights how leadership in the NBA continues to evolve. Bryant’s fire came with some sharp edges, and it worked perfectly for the era he dominated. But Ant’s version is competitiveness wrapped in positivity. And his teammates clearly respond to it.
Randle’s been around enough stars to know the difference. Hearing him rave about Edwards says a lot about where the league is headed. If Ant can keep that balance of killer instinct and genuine support, he might end up being the kind of leader players talk about just as fondly years from now.
