IMO, Lyles seems not only to have great ballhandling skills for someone of his size but also a good-great shooting touch and hence he may prove himself capable not only of creating his own shot consistently but also to setting up other players.
Van Horn wasn't much of a ballhandler so the comparison between him an Lyles doesn't seem to work. Besides, Van Horn seemed more athletic right out of college.
Parsons could be considered a good ballhandler for a 4, but he is actually a 3, since he can't guard 4s consistently and also is a perimeter player on offense. The comparison with Lyles, thus, doesn't seem right.
In terms of ballhandling and size, the comparison with Odom seems right on the spot, but Lyles seems to have a better shooting touch (not only from outside but even from middle range). On the other hand, Odom was a good defender, capable of guarding 3s e 4s with competence. Lyles is not athletic or commited enough to guard 3s consistently (at least currently) and is not strong enough to guard 4s. Also, he doesn't seem to have much shotblocking ability while Odom was at least decent in this respect.
I think the best comparison is actually with Jamal Mashburn (especially from his late 20s onwards). As Lyles, Mash wasn't much gifted athletically, was a great ballhandler, had a great shooting touch and wasn't much of a defender. Unlike Parsons, Mashburn and Lyles had/have a middle range game as an important part of their offensive repertoire. Mashburn was a 3 of course, but was capable of occasionaly sliding to the 4 spot during his later years (when he seemed to gain some weight). He was very similar to Carmelo Anthony in this regard.
It remains to be seem if Lyles will ever become physical enough to defend 4s. Otherwise he may become a bigger Jamal Mashburn (although probably a little less talented offensively).
Thoughts?
