With Derrick Favors out for an unspecified amount of time, and with Trey Lyles presumably starting lots of games in his absence, we will learn one of the essential truths about Lyles: is he a sensible option as a starting power forward? Or is he an irredeemable tweener who has no position on the floor? It is the answer to this vital question that will determine Lyles’ place in the league going forward.
If he is indeed suited for playing the four-spot, he will automatically be considered a “stretch four” since he has already shown that he can make three-pointers. That’s one argument for playing him at the four rather than the three: there is no such thing as a “stretch three” in today’s league and Lyles would enjoy no special benefits playing at that position, other than perhaps being an inch taller than his opposition.
These upcoming games will inform us greatly of Lyles’ true nature as a basketball player. This game didn’t tell us very much because Ryan Anderson can’t defend a chair, much less a sentient, ambulant being like Lyles. All we found out from this game is that Lyles can abuse slow-footed sofa cushions like Anderson. We already knew that. That’s not helpful to us.