NET NOTES

ATLANTA – Kerry Kittles was definitely perky; any more so and he would have been working in a costume at Disney World. You might have thought that the injured Nets guard was considering a return last night here against the Hawks.

“Nah, it’s the beginning of the season. I’m happy,” said Kittles, who has a bruised right knee. “Hopefully, I can go by next week sometime; I don’t know when.”

That would still put Kittles a little ahead of schedule. But he simply is not going to rush his injury, although John Calipari suggested that the longer time off might not necessarily be the cure.

“I’m not so sure the longer he stays out, it’s going to make a difference. When he comes back and plays, there’s going to be pain,” said Calipari, who had been assured by doctors that playing would do no structural damage to Kittles’ knee.

“I’m doing therapy, trying to get the rest of the inflammation and the soreness out of the joint. There’s something wrong with the bone in there, so I’m just taking it easy. I don’t want to cause any irritation. I don’t want it to flare up again,” said Kittles, who gets at least three hours a day of therapy and treatment, which is largely ice and electric stimulation. *One of the Nets’ most intriguing stories of the preseason is Earl Boykins, the 5-foot-5 free agent who is trying to stick with the club. He’s No. 13 on the chart. Fine for now, but the rosters must shrink to 12 by Feb. 19. But Boykins wasn’t looking that far ahead. The man who was bidding to become the second-shortest NBA player ever – behind 5-3 Muggsy Bogues – had his focus on last night only.

“Right now, I’m just very excited and very anxious for my first real game. I’m looking forward to it,” said Boykins, whose confidence soared during training camp.

Said Calipari, “If he gets an opportunity and proves he needs to be on our team, yeah, he will [stay]. Like anything else, you’ve got to prove your worth.” *Tonight’s home opener starts at 6 p.m. Nets then have two days off before hosting Orlando Wednesday.