Jayson Tatum talks about changing his shot, heading into 8th grade with the Celtics

Tatum shared a little more detail about his redesigned release.

“I’m just working on staying forward and keeping my shoulders forward,” he said. “Gives you more strength.”

There is a photo that the NBA posted on their social media page a few weeks ago that shows a rookie Tatum in training camp right next to the eighth-grader Tatum. Tatum reflected on the 19-year-old rookie.

“It's really how different I am, how quickly time has passed,” he said. “It makes me appreciate these moments. I remember my first training camp in Rhode Island like it was yesterday. Now it's the 8th year. It made me think about all the things I've been able to accomplish since my time on the team and in the NBA, it kind of made me proud of myself, I'm happy and hope that the next eight years are a little slower .”

Tatum has won a championship, five All-Star selections, four All-NBA selections, an Eastern Conference Finals MVP and an All-Star MVP in his first seven seasons. Aside from a painful pre-championship playoff disappointment, Tatum said he couldn't have planned his first seven NBA seasons better.

“Everything happened for a reason and I couldn’t be happier and more grateful for the way my career has turned out at 26 years old,” he said.

Tatum said he watched the newly released Netflix series “Starting 5,” which details Tatum’s 2023-24 season. LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, Domantas Sabonis And Jimmy Butler. The 10-episode documentary chronicled all the highs and lows during each of their playoff runs. Tatum's story is of course the only one with a happy ending.

“I’m not going to lie, I moved on to episode 10 (Wednesday night),” he said. “I was emotional in a good way, reliving those moments and fulfilling a lifelong dream. I really enjoyed seeing that.”

Scrubb comes back

Jay Scrubb has never played an official game in a Celtics jersey, but the guard was welcomed with open arms when he hit the floor for the first time since tearing his ACL last October. Scrubb had earned a two-way contract and a chance to play for a championship-contending team when he landed awkwardly after a dunk on Oct. 8, 2023, tearing his right ACL.

The Celtics waived Scrubb two weeks later, but stayed in touch with the former LA Clipper and brought him back on an Exhibit 10 deal. Scrubb's next stop is likely G-League Maine, where he'll compete for a return to the NBA.

“It was a struggle, I had a bad injury, had to get back on my feet but had to work hard to get back to where I was,” he said. “I pretty much knew I wanted to be here. They took good care of me during my rehab process, so I felt like this would be the best place for me to come back.”

Scrubb played well during the Las Vegas Summer League in 2023 and earned a contract after stints with the Clippers and Orlando Magic. The Celtics were keen to work with the 24-year-old Scrubb as a developmental project last season before the injury. Boston has filled every two-way slot this season JD Davison, Drew Peterson And Anthony Watsonmeaning Scrubb is a candidate for Maine.

The 55th overall pick in 2020 said the Celtics supported him during his ordeal.

“I was able to lean on the entire organization, just different people that were at the top and almost there to let me know it could happen,” Scrubb said. “Everyone was on my side, from the Celtics to my family, everyone.”

Scrubb said during his rehabilitation, which he described as “brutal,” he became more of a student of the game, studying video and realizing that he had spent most of his professional career so far trying to get by on his athleticism .

“I get to know different players and study the players at my position,” Scrubb said. “Those were the things I wanted to improve on, learning the game and learning that aspect. Now I want to take my IQ to a new level and I really liked it. I learn new things about myself and it’s easy to enjoy that.”

Horford is expected to play

trainer Joe Mazzulla said Al Horfordwho was not present in the two preparatory games in Abu Dhabi, will appear at least once in the last three preparatory games. The Celtics play at home against the 76ers and Raptors on Saturday and Sunday and conclude the preseason on Tuesday in Toronto.

Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.