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2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Who is Tyler Lydon?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 3, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) puts up a shot over North Florida Ospreys forward Wajid Aminu (2) during the first half of a game at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse won the game 77-71. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Syracuse, NY, USA; Syracuse Orange forward Tyler Lydon (20) puts up a shot over North Florida Ospreys forward Wajid Aminu (2) during the first half of a game at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse won the game 77-71. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Final Word

In some ways, Tyler Lydon is exactly what anyone would want in a stretch-4 in the NBA these days. He can shoot and roll hard to the rim, using his athleticism to be a lob threat. There are very few power forwards who can both roll and pop in pick and rolls.

But in many ways, Lydon is a tease.

He has the athleticism it would seem to do a lot of things on the floor. But the reality is he is not a top-end athlete. He cannot trade on his athleticism alone in the NBA. He will have to take his game up another level.

And in two years at Syracuse, he did not really step his game up. His offensive game is limited to very simplistic sets. He is not going to be able to take anyone off the dribble. And asking him to put the ball on the floor to create his shot, or step in for a jumper is inconsistent at best. His field goal percentage dropped dramatically after taking even just one dribble.

That shadow only deepens the doubt around Lydon. His defensive potential is hard to predict. It is hard to see exactly what he can become. He has the athleticism to be a good defender, but his frame is slight. And coming out of the 2-3 zone at Syracuse, it is hard to figure out if he can translate to the NBA fully.

Lydon seems like he would have a lot of promise. His offensive potential in a narrow role is certainly encouraging to see. But Lydon also has a lot of questions he needs to answer to fully fit into the NBA.

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It is unclear where that fit is unless he truly accepts and grows into that stretch-4 role.