NET NOTES

Jason Kidd is hopeful he’ll get a green light today.

Kidd, coming off left knee microfracture surgery, is scheduled for his regular visit with specialist Dr. David Altchek and the All-World point guard anticipates getting a schedule to begin his on-court work.

“I’m feeling really good, had some great workouts,” Kidd said last night, admitting he could be “running by the first [Monday]. Right now, we’ve been walking but going pretty hard at a good pace. I’m hopeful we get good news.”

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The Nets wasted 30 points from Ron Mercer in an 86-79 defeat to the Knicks at the Meadowlands last night. The Nets wilted under the Knicks’ third-quarter pressure that led to a 15-3 run, turning 11-point Net lead into a one-point deficit. Stephon Marbury scored 14 points to lead Knicks, who shot 47 free throws.

The game was chippy – Jason Collins for Nets and Knick Vin Baker got technicals. Knick Tim Thomas (who charged Kenyon Martin was a fraud and Collins was a coward after his playoff injury) unleashed two unnecessary shots against Richard Jefferson, who downplayed the hits. “There’re hard fouls in every NBA game, let’s not start that,” Jefferson said.

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Collins is optimistic that he’ll have a new contract in place by Sunday’s Oct. 31 deadline. “It’s looking more like it could be done,” said Collins who is nearing a four-year $24-million deal. “It’ll be good to get something done.” Team president Rod Thorn and GM Ed Stefanski said both sides were still talking but declined putting a percentage on getting something done.

The Nets worked out free agent forwards Marcus Fizer and Obinna Ekezie yesterday and were unimpressed.