  We show that the spectrum of the SYK model can be interpreted as that of a 3D
scalar coupled to gravity. The scalar has a mass which is at the
Breitenholer-Freedman bound of AdS$_2$, and subject to a delta function
potential at the center of the interval along the third direction. This,
through Kaluza-Klein procedure on AdS$_2 \times (S^1)/Z_2$, generates the
spectrum reproducing the bi-local propagator at strong coupling. Furthermore,
the leading $1/J$ correction calculated in this picture reproduces the known
correction to the poles of the SYK propagator, providing credence to a
conjecture that the bulk dual of this model can be interpreted as a three
dimensional theory.
