Atlantic Notes: Knicks, Amare, Celtics, Garnett

Items out of the Atlantic Division..

• Some have wondered how Amare Stoudemire will fit in with the Knicks' future, but a team source tells Marc Berman of the New York Post that the club brought the Erie Bayhawks to New York specifically to work out with the forward.  That gesture is a sign that the Knicks are committed to Stoudemire long term in the eyes of Berman.  Earlier today, we learned that the Knicks were practically looking to give Stoudemire away for free over the summer.
• Coach Mike Woodson doesn't seem to think that today's report will have an effect on Stoudemire, tweets Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com.  "Amare is a big piece of the New York Knicks and that's why he's still here," said the coach.
• Jim Cavan of the New York Times writes that a lower turnover rate has been a key to the Knicks' success this season.
• The Celtics need a big man who will help give Kevin Garnett and Chris Wilcox help down low, writes Rich Levine of CSNNE.com.  Levine suggests that the C's can package Courtney Lee and Fab Melo for Jason Thompson of the Kings or the Blazers' J.J. Hickson.
• If the Celtics don’t show improvement on the defensive end before the trade deadline, expect team president Danny Ainge to find better complementary pieces for Garnett, writes Dan Guttenplan of WEEI.com.
• Louis Williams reflects on his years with the 76ers as he prepares to face his former team as a member of the Hawks.
• Jason Kidd believes that Deron Williams is struggling with his shooting, which is to blame for his poor recent play, and not Nets coach Avery Johnson.