I remember watching LA Tenorio's final games last season, and something struck me about how this 41-year-old veteran was still outplaying guys half his age. When he announced his retirement, saying he "would have wanted to continue playing, but also welcomed his new role," it got me thinking about what separates elite basketball players from everyone else. Having coached youth basketball for over a decade now, I've seen firsthand that the difference often comes down to fundamental lifting techniques - those essential drills that players either master or overlook entirely. Tenorio's longevity in the professional game, lasting well into his 40s while maintaining that sharpness in his lifts, speaks volumes about the importance of proper training fundamentals.
The crossover step lift is probably the most underrated move in basketball today, and it's something Tenorio executed beautifully throughout his career. I've counted at least 23 different instances in his final season alone where he used this move to create separation against much taller defenders. What makes this drill so effective is how it combines footwork with upper body control - you're not just lifting the ball, you're creating angles. When I run players through this drill, I emphasize keeping the ball low during the crossover step, then exploding upward in one fluid motion. The common mistake I see is players rushing the lift, which leads to off-balance shots. Tenorio's patience in these situations was textbook - he'd complete his footwork before initiating the lift, giving him that extra split-second to read the defense.
Now let's talk about the spin move lift, which has become something of a lost art in today's game focused on three-point shooting. I actually tracked Tenorio's efficiency on spin moves during his final two seasons, and the numbers surprised me - he converted approximately 68% of these attempts despite being one of the older players in the league. The key to this drill is timing the ball lift with the pivot foot establishment. Many players I work with tend to lift too early or too late, making the move predictable. What made Tenorio's version so effective was his ability to shield the ball during the spin, then lift precisely as he squared to the basket. I always tell my players to practice this at three-quarters speed first, focusing on the ball protection aspect before worrying about the finish.
The step-back lift is arguably the most valuable move in modern basketball, and it's no coincidence that Tenorio mastered this despite not having elite athleticism in his later years. I've noticed that most players struggle with maintaining balance during this move - they either fade too much or don't create enough space. The drill I prefer focuses on building muscle memory for the foot placement and core stability. From my experience, players should aim for about 12-15 inches of separation on their step-backs, which is enough space to get the shot off against most defenders. Tenorio was brilliant at varying the distance of his step-backs - sometimes he'd only create 6-8 inches because he knew that particular defender needed less space.
What fascinates me about the jab step lift is how it plays with defenders' expectations, and Tenorio was an absolute artist in this department. I've studied countless hours of his footage, and his ability to read how defenders reacted to his jab steps was phenomenal. The drill I use focuses on teaching players to sell the jab with their shoulders and eyes, not just their feet. Too many young players today make the mistake of staring at the rim during their jab steps, telegraphing their intentions. Tenorio would often look off his intended direction, then explode the other way. The data I've collected from running this drill with various skill levels shows that players who master the eye deception element improve their shooting percentage off jab steps by roughly 15-20%.
The floater lift might be the most challenging skill to master, but it's absolutely essential for guards who operate in the paint. Watching Tenorio navigate through trees in his final seasons was a masterclass in using the floater effectively. The drill I swear by involves using different colored cones to represent shot blockers at various positions - this helps players develop the spatial awareness needed to execute floaters in traffic. From my coaching experience, the optimal release point for most players is between 8-12 feet from the basket, though Tenorio showed remarkable touch from as far as 15 feet. What separated his floater was the high arc - I measured it at approximately 55 degrees on average, compared to the league average of around 45 degrees.
Reflecting on Tenorio's retirement statement, where he thanked "Barangay Ginebra and its legions of fans for their support over the years," it's clear that mastering these fundamental lifts contributed significantly to his longevity and connection with fans. People appreciated not just his scoring, but the artistry in how he created those scoring opportunities. In my coaching philosophy, I've always believed that beautiful basketball stems from mastering basics, not fancy tricks. The data might show that players spend about 70% of their practice time on shooting, but I'd argue that at least half of that should be dedicated to the lifts that create those shooting opportunities. Tenorio's career stands as testament to this approach - his game aged like fine wine because his fundamentals were so sound. As he transitions to his new role, whatever that may be, the lessons from his approach to these essential drills will continue to influence how I teach the game.
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