Kyrie Irving says he is under no physical restrictions from the torn left ACL that sidelined him 19 months ago, calling the injury "probably the best thing that happened to me."

"I'm ready to go out there and kick some butt," said Irving at Dallas Mavericks media day. "I know that naysayers or some of the questions around where I'm going to be are going to be inevitable. But for me, I have the confidence of a champion.

"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. It's just like riding a bike."

New team president Masai Ujiri offered an encouraging update on Irving's recovery.

"You hope he plays games and he gets right back into it," said Ujiri, describing Irving as "right there" in terms of health.

Irving said the extended layoff gave him time to reflect beyond basketball.

"On where I want to be as a player and most importantly where do I want to be as a man," said Irving. "How can people look to me to be a better leader, a better communicator, be more emotional, vulnerable. And also taking the approach of acting like my age finally."

Irving and the Mavericks enter the season under new leadership following a 26-56 finish last year, the franchise's worst in eight seasons. Ujiri was hired in May and brought in Dusty May as head coach in June, replacing Jason Kidd. May, who led Michigan to last season's NCAA title, becomes the first coach to jump directly from college basketball to an NBA head job since John Beilein in 2019.

Asked about coaching a veteran of Irving's stature as a first-time NBA head coach, May emphasized a collaborative approach.

"Kyrie has seen and done as much as just about anyone in the association," said May. "I would expect that I'm only going to coach him when I'm able to add value."

Irving also expressed excitement about playing alongside rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, last season's unanimous Rookie of the Year.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to grow with him," said Irving. "High-level basketball players, no matter the age, you put us out there, we're going to win some ballgames."

Flagg echoed that sentiment, pointing to their summer training sessions together.

"Having somebody like that out there on the court with you at all times is going to be amazing," said Flagg. "The time that we've been able to spend in the summer on the court together has been good for both of us to kind of build that connection."