Coach Rob Fois is back to break down sets from another title-contending Spanish side in the Basketball Champions League Final 8, Tenerife.
One could argue that Lenovo Tenerife has the best offense is the Basketball Champions League and not many would disagree with this.
Lenovo Tenerife were the first ever Champions League winner in 2017 and finished runner-up in 2019. Head Coach Txus Vidorreta is simply one of the greatest minds in European basketball. He’s the most successful coach in the history of the BCL and the first to reach 50 wins. International hoops followers may also recognize that he is an Assistant Coach for Sergio Scariolo with the Spain national team.
Why Tenerife Can Win the BCL
With a record of 9-3 during an impressive Regular Season and Round of 16, Tenerife is heavily considered to be one of the favorites to win the final, along with Hereda San Pablo Burgos and ERA Nymburk.
Tenerife has one of the best – if not the best – offenses in the competition: 86.3 PPG (4th); 57.6 2P% (5th); 42% 3P% (3rd); 21.4 APG (3rd); 1209 Eff (2nd).
The team knows how to play a nice and sharp ball on the offensive end. The presence of experienced, veteran players such as Marcelinho Huertas (former Lakers), Giorgi Shermadini (Olympiakos, Malaga), Aaron Doornekamp (Valencia), Tyler Cavanaugh (Hawks, Jazz, Alba Berlin), Sasu Salin (Gran Canaria, Malaga) and Bruno Fitipaldo (Galatasary, Burgos) gives coach Vidorreta a Swiss army knife to use at his disposal to beat opponents in many different ways.
Let’s study some of Tenerife’s best sets and situations that we will definitely see during the BCL Playoffs. PS: little spoiler alert for the ones who do not know Tenerife: Coach Vidorreta loves wrinkles and to make the defense believe something is happening to then surprise them with a different solution.
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LENOVO TENERIFE XsOs
[Click on a play to view frame descriptions and download the diagram to FastDraw.]
Horns Variations
One of Tenerife’s most common patterns, with few variations, is definitely a Horns set.
Coach Vidorreta displays his players in different lineup to take advantage of mismatches; it could be a Horns set ending in a post up for Shermadini, an open three for Salin, or a pick and roll situation as shown below.
Horns Double Ball Screen
Here after a classic Horns start, the guard instead of cutting uses a small change of speed and direction to set a ball screen for the ball handler (3), followed by a second ball screen from 5. A very simple action that could lead to multiple mismatches an opportunity for relatively easy baskets.
Double Side Stagger PNR
As we have already said, Tenerife is at the top of the game in “selling lies” to the defense. This action is clearly a case to study. Starting with a common stagger away situation, instead of passing to the guard for a possible DHO or a three-point shot, the ball handler keeps moving to the side while the guard moves to the opposite side, ready to set another stagger for the player in the corner.
It is here that the “lie” comes to life: instead of cutting out, the corner player, just curls and re-screens. From here, it’s all about reads and reactions from the players.
Zipper Flare
This is another exceptional quick hitter for Salin, a 40% 3 points shooter. He comes out from a classic zipper screen and instead of playing a more common middle pick and roll, rejects the screen with a DHO and then runs to the corner with the help of a flare screen. By the time the defense reacts, it’s too late as Tenerife likely just scored three points.
Enough for Tenerife to win the final?
With all of the stats, talent and creative sets provided in this post, it’s clear that Tenerife is one of the top contenders to win the BCL title. But, will the team be able to maintain its offensive efficiency in the knockout stage of the quarterfinals when everything is on the line? This is the only question. Luckily we will get an answer starting this Thursday versus Strasbourg.
BONUS TENERIFE SLOB SETS
“Canarias”
Butler Winner Twist
Check out all Tenerife sets on the Playbank.
View more XsOs by Coach Fois on his Playbank page.
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