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Jay Bilas likes Jahlil Okafor over Karl-Anthony Towns at No. 1 pick

By Jonathan Bass

Feb 14, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; ESPN analyst Jay Bilas looks on prior to the game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Duke defeated Syracuse 80-72. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2015; Syracuse, NY, USA; ESPN analyst Jay Bilas looks on prior to the game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome. Duke defeated Syracuse 80-72. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jay Bilas weighs in on the potential of some projected top NBA Draft picks.

Jay Bilas recently phoned a friend, former colleague Michael Kay now with 120 Sports, to discuss, among other things, the upcoming NBA Draft.

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With the top-two debate for this year’s draft centering on big men Jahlil Okafor and Karl-Anthony Towns, Bilas offered up an assessment for each (miraculously without ever mentioning wingspan). By his estimation, Okafor is the more dominant of the two. He sees the Duke prodigy being a 20-point per game scorer in the league, and likens Okafor’s footwork to that of Tim Duncan. As for Towns, he’s more versatile. Bilas likes his ability to step away from the basket, as well as his acumen on the defensive glass.

Were he in Flip Saunders’ shoes, Bilas would select Okafor with the first-overall pick. He prefers players with a “dominant trait”; however, the NBA analyst understands why many feel Towns is the top prospect.

As for other players to keep an eye on, Bilas believes that Ohio State point guard D’Angelo Russell is the “best pure basketball player in the draft.” He also sees overseas player Kristaps Porzingis shooting up the board based on size and ability to stretch the court in a Nowitzki-esque fashion.

Bilas also discussed some potential sleepers from the draft. Two names he envisions having successful NBA careers are Notre Dame guard Pat Connaughton and LSU forward Jordan Mickey. Connaughton is an athletic combo guard who can match up with nearly any two-guard in the league, whereas Mickey is a long shot-blocker whom Bilas believes to be in the mold of a Taj Gibson.

For more of Bilas’ takes, such as which sport has the mentally toughest athletes, below is the full interview.

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