Mavericks' Irving says he's ready to ‘kick some butt' after injury-lost season

The useful part

"I know that naysayers or some of the questions around where I'm going to be are going to be inevitable. … This is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately type of league, and everybody wants to see it up close. So, I'm looking forward to being able to lace up my shoes and being on the court with my teammates and show everybody what I got again.

How it works

• "How can people look to me to be a better leader, a better communicator, be more emotional, vulnerable.
• It's just like riding a bike." "In terms of health, he's right there," new team president Masai Ujiri said.
• "On where I want to be as a player and most importantly where do I want to be as a man," he said.
• Ujiri was hired in early May, then hired Dusty May in late June as coach to replace Jason Kidd.

Details worth keeping

Also taking the approach of acting like my age finally. Been through a lot, been through a lot of ups and downs as a person. I think me as a competitor out there, you never have to worry about me falling short of (putting) my best foot forward out there." Irving – and all the Mavericks – will play for a revamped franchise after last season's 26-56 lottery finish, Dallas' worst in eight years.