Jayson Tatum focusing on taking more efficient shots this season

Last season, Jayson Tatum was spending a growing amount of time in isolation sets and he was settling for long twos — 30.5 percent of his shots were from the midrange, and 16.9 were from 16 feet out to the arc. He shot 34.9 percent on those long twos, which means a lot of inefficient offense.

Like every holdover Celtic on the roster, they want to flush last season — the chemistry issues, the disappointing record — down the toilet and move on. Tatum wants to get back to being the guy who showed so much promise during the playoffs his rookie season, when he didn’t overthink things and just attacked the rim.

Tatum’s plan this season is to shoot threes and get to the rim, reducing the long twos, he told Tim Bontemps of ESPN.

“Last year was kind of funky in all aspects,” Tatum said. “I understand that. I acknowledge that, and I’m just trying to be better this year.”

“Focus on getting to the basket much more,” Tatum said. “Shoot more 3s, and layups, and free throws.”

Tatum worked out with respected trainer Drew Hanlen this summer, according to the ESPN report, and the focus was showing him how the elite wings (Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Kevin Durant, etc.) both shot more threes and got to the line more because they attacked. Then they worked on skills to take advantage of that mindset.

With Team USA this summer, Tatum was noticeably more aggressive (until a sprained ankle sidelined him for critical games). It’s a good sign heading into the season.

Until we see Tatum’s plan in action next to Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown, it’s still just words. But Celtics fans have reason to be optimistic that Tatum’s career will get back on the trajectory we all expected after his rookie season.