Celtics

“It gets off his hands much quicker. He doesn’t have that slump he used to have.”

So far, so good for Jayson Tatum and his revamped jump shot.

The star forward got the Celtics off to a 2-0 start and averaged 31 points on 60.5 percent shooting in the first two games. In Thursday night's win over the Wizards, he was 4 of 7 from 3-point range and scored 25 points.

Tatum's jump shot looks more fluid than it did in last year's playoffs, when he shot a career-low 28.3 percent from 3-point range.

NBC Sports Boston's Eddie House, who shot 39 percent on 3-pointers during his playing days, explained some of the changes Tatum has made to his sweater and why he looks better this season.

“Only Jayson Tatum does Jayson Tatum things and knocks down threes,” House said. “The shot looks much better. It comes off his hands much quicker. He doesn't have that dip that he used to have, and that's the only thing: I thought I didn't know what was wrong with his shot because he was making shots.

“But now that I'm starting to look at it and see him making more and more shots, he doesn't have that dip and he doesn't flex as much,” House added. “It’s quick, boom, and it’s out of there. It’s a lot easier for him to get it off quicker, and I mean, I wish everyone else the best of luck.”

Accordingly The Boston GlobeFor Gary Washburn, Tatum's postseason slump inspired him to change his release point and work on his shooting mechanics. He said he made a point of keeping his shoulders forward to get more power behind the shot.

“I’m still young,” Tatum said. “I'm only 26. I've played a lot of basketball so far, so I've still got a long way to go, I've still got a lot of basketball to go. “I can get better at a lot of things, I can make tweaks and do things more effectively and efficiently make, be more effective and find different ways to dominate the game. I feel like that’s my challenge night after night.”

At Celtics media day, Tatum told a reporter that he worked with his coach Drew Hanlen on pick-up points and hand placement, as well as staying lower and keeping his shoulder forward.

Small changes led to big success, Tatum said.

“I think we approach every day the same way with the same mindset. We're just trying to get a little better. We respect every opponent. We respected every day of training and I think it paid off in the end. Of course it would be more difficult this year. Human nature may play a role in what we did last year and we have to fight against it, but I think we are on the right track.”

Tatum is still searching for the best version of himself. He still has his sights set on winning the league MVP.

“I think even as a kid you set a lot of goals,” Tatum said. “I've been lucky enough to tick off a lot of things I wanted to achieve, things that my favorite players have achieved.

“Saying MVP is important to me in no way diminishes the success of our team,” Tatum continued. “Every guy who won MVP was on a championship-contending team. When you’re an MVP, you dominate, you hustle, you play the right way and you influence the win.”

“So you can do both,” Tatum added. “The championship is the most important thing, but it’s also important to be the best version of yourself along the way.”

Khari A. Thompson

Sports reporter

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Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.

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