Sam Mitchell's throwaway line referring to Jason Kidd's "so-called" knee injury was treated as a disrespectful shot at the future hall of famer in some parts yesterday.

What was meant as a compliment ? the Raptors no more expected Kidd to miss Game 3 than they expected the New Jersey Nets to lie down and play dead ? turned into something of a cause c?l?bre here yesterday.

"They don't have to see me go through what I have to go through to get ready," Kidd said. "Timmy (Nets athletic trainer Tim Walsh) sees what I have to do to get ready. Between the two of us he gets me ready.

"I have confidence in him and the doctor to say that I have nothing to be concerned about. Everybody will have their opinion if I'm hurt or not."