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About Paul Flannery

Paul Flannery began his journalism career answering phones at the Boston Herald before embarking on a cross-country odyssey that included stops in Oregon, Virginia and Philadelphia. He then returned home to Boston, where he was the online editor at Boston magazine and began covering the Celtics in 2008. Flannery also contributes to the Phoenix and teaches sports journalism at Boston University.

 
COLUMNS
Paul Flannery
06/02/2012 - 7:52pm
Four for Game 4: What Celtics need to do to even the series
WALTHAM – Rajon Rondo has been on the floor for 140 minutes out of a possible 149 in the first three games of the Eastern Conference finals and has recorded just nine turnovers.
Paul Flannery
06/02/2012 - 2:06am
For Celtics, it's the Rondo and Garnett show
How many times during his career has it been said? Get Kevin Garnett in the post. Here is the issue for the Celtics against the Heat: Get Kevin Garnett the ball in the post.
Paul Flannery
05/31/2012 - 2:57am
The Rondo game that got away
MIAMI – Keyon Dooling told Rajon Rondo to breathe. Use the timeouts for recovery because it’s the only rest you’re going to get.
Paul Flannery
05/29/2012 - 8:01pm
Hit the deck? Play some defense
MIAMI -- From the moment the Heat were assembled in the frenzied, chaotic summer of 2010, there’s been a feeling that if you can knock them around, you can throw them off their game. Many have tried, few have been successful.
Paul Flannery
05/29/2012 - 3:00am
At their worst, Celtics no match for Heat
MIAMI -- Almost everyone had cleared out by the time Ray Allen made his way back to his locker. Impeccably dressed as always, he appeared to be limping, or at least walking gingerly.
Paul Flannery
05/28/2012 - 12:08am
Can the Celtics beat the Heat?
Not many people are giving the Celtics a chance to beat Miami in the Eastern Conference finals.
Paul Flannery
05/27/2012 - 2:01am
The Celtics live to fight another day
This couldn’t end this way. It couldn’t end with Paul Pierce fouling out on a dubious offensive foul.
Paul Flannery
05/24/2012 - 10:48pm
Seven keys for Celtics in Game Seven
There have been 12 Game 7’s since 2008 and the Celtics have played in five of them. They won three at home before losing to the Magic in 2009 and they also suffered their most bitter defeat of this era in the 2010 finals on the road against the Lakers.
Paul Flannery
05/24/2012 - 2:38am
Is it starting to feel like 2009 for Celtics?
Paul Flannery
05/22/2012 - 8:48pm
Is this the grown-up Rajon Rondo?
“It’s just rhythm for him. It’s not tempo.
Paul Flannery
05/22/2012 - 12:16am
Brandon Bass arrives to rescue Celtics
You can analyze this series from every conceivable angle and break down all the adjustments the coaches are making from game to game, but no one had Brandon Bass outscoring the 76ers by himself in the third quarter.
Paul Flannery
05/20/2012 - 9:23pm
Matchups and adjustments will define Game 5
In many ways, Thaddeus Young is the quintessential 76er. He’s great in transition, has a solid handle and can guard multiple positions. He does most of his scoring in the paint, but he can hit the outside shot if you leave him alone. Young’s greatest strength, however, is his lack of a defined position.
Paul Flannery
05/19/2012 - 3:25am
Add it up: Celtics blow opportunity to take control
PHILADELPHIA – There were three numbers that jumped out at Celtics coach Doc Rivers as he tried to explain his team’s exasperating loss in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Paul Flannery
05/17/2012 - 9:59pm
Kevin Garnett: The unselfish superstar
PHILADELPHIA -- Kevin Garnett scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in Game 3. It was another monster night from Garnett, who has scored 99 points in his last four games and recorded double-doubles in each contest.
Paul Flannery
05/17/2012 - 1:33am
Angry Celtics send a message
PHILADELPHIA – Kevin Garnett was agitated, which is nothing new, but his words hung heavy in the crushing disappointment of a losing locker room. They carried with them the weight of a season’s worth of expectations, if not an entire era.
Paul Flannery
05/15/2012 - 8:58pm
Where did the Celtics' offense go?
This is a trick question. The Celtics' offense hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s been bad all season.
Paul Flannery
05/15/2012 - 12:39am
For Celtics, one that got away
In 29 other NBA cities, the reaction to Kevin Garnett’s offensive foul with 10 seconds left in regulation was the same: They finally called it! In Boston, the difference was one of punctuation: They called it now?
Paul Flannery
05/13/2012 - 8:50pm
Kevin Garnett: The lion in spring
Most nights during the NBA season, Kevin Garnett is the last player to emerge from behind closed doors.
Paul Flannery
05/13/2012 - 12:56am
Rajon Rondo saves his best, and smartest, for last
There were seven seconds left and the Celtics were holding a three-point lead when Paul Pierce missed a 20-foot jumper.
Paul Flannery
05/12/2012 - 7:54am
Winning ugly: Celtics get ready for Sixers
WALTHAM – Short of winning Game 5 in Atlanta and earning a couple of days off, you couldn’t have scripted a better first round playoff scenario for the Celtics.
Paul Flannery
05/11/2012 - 1:27am
Kevin Garnett's signature Celtics moment
Having done all his talking on the court with 28 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in a stranger-than-fiction 83-80 closeout game against the Hawks, Kevin Garnett had a few other things he wanted to get off his chest.
Paul Flannery
05/09/2012 - 10:19pm
Game 6: It's Rajon Rondo time
The funny thing about this Hawks-Celtics series is that for a hard-fought, defensive struggle, no one is giving Atlanta much of a chance. Four games have been decided by a total of three points, including an overtime contest in the Garden when the Hawks were missing their top three frontcourt players.
Paul Flannery
05/09/2012 - 2:14am
An opportunity missed for Celtics
Did anyone really think the Celtics would make things easy on themselves? It’s a maddeningly endearing trait they’ve developed over the last five years, and it cost them dearly on Tuesday night.
Paul Flannery
05/07/2012 - 9:46pm
Game 5: Defense and rebounding fuel Celtics
It’s impossible to read Game 4 of the Celtics’ series with the Hawks as anything other than an offensive aberration. The C’s took 53 of their 80 shots from outside the paint and made 26 of them – 15 long 2’s and 11 3-pointers.
Paul Flannery
05/07/2012 - 12:02am
Opportunity arrives for Celtics
Paul Pierce strained his knee during shootaround on Sunday morning, which made it doubly painful when he aggravated it during the second quarter.


Audio On Demand

It Is What It Is Cast: Ex…

It Is What It Is Cast: Examining the New England Patriots offseason

In the latest edition of the "It Is What It Is" podcast, Chris Price and CSNNE's Mike Giardi take a look at the Patriots offseason on both sides of the ball, try and get a handle on which new guys will make an impact first, and whether or not the Patriots have altered their style when it comes to drafting and developing wide receivers.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk on Tebow's release

Mike Florio joined the program to discuss the Jets decision to release Tim Tebow, he said the situation is as disaster all around for the Jets and that the problems begins with owner Woody Johnson. Mike also said that he was disappointed with the Pats moving back in the first round.

Mike Petraglia, WEEI.com, Sits Down with Butch Stearns to Help Break Down the Pats Draft

One of the hardest working men in the biz, Mike Petraglia aka "Trags", sits down with Butch Stearns live in Foxborough to help break down all the latest Pats moves. He discusses his reaction to the trade in Round 1 and the guys those picks produced. Also, the boys talk about the decent trade the Pats made in acquiring LeGarrette Blount from Tampa Bay for Jeff Demps and a 7th rounder.

Celtics President Danny A…

Celtics President Danny Ainge with Salk and Holley

We check in with Danny Ainge for our first talk to him since the Celtics season ended last weekend. We talk about the future of the team, KG, Pierce, Doc Rivers and more, as Danny directly answers the rumors being floated by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.

Jackie MacMullan, ESPNBoston.com: "Gut" tells me Doc will stay

Jackie Mac joins the show to discuss the trade rumors swirling around Paul Pierce, KG, Doc Rivers and the Celtics. She also discusses the future of the Celtics head coach.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on his rumored Celtics Clippers trade

Stephen A. joined the program to discuss the trade rumors he has reported regarding a possible trade including Doc Rivers and the Clippers. Stephen A. also told the guys that he has heard that Danny and Doc may be tiring of working together.

John Lackey postgame gues…

John Lackey postgame guest after the last game of the Minnesota series

Joe Castiglione talked with John Lackey after he picked up the W against the Twins. Lackey threw seven innings, and retired the 1st twelve batters of the game.

John Farrell pregame before the last game of the Minnesota series

Dave O'Brien talked to John Farrell before the end of the Twins series. The Sox skipper said that Big Papi's success is no surprise given his work ethic.

John Farrell postgame press conference

John Farrell postgame press conference

Andy Brickley, NESN: Go w…

Andy Brickley, NESN: Go with the young guys at D

Brickley joins the show and discusses what the Bruins should do with their young defensemen once the veterans return from injury, the play of Rask, and Torterella's coaching style.

Shawn Thornton on the Bruins game 2 win

Shawn joined the show to discuss the teams great performance in game two against the Rangers. Shawn said that he wouldn't mind playing for John Tortorella because he seems like a funny guy.

Dale and DJ Continue Their Preview of Bruins/Rangers and Discuss the Power Play on Sports Sunday

Dale and DJ roll on with their puck talk and chat some more about the goalie matchup in this series, as well as the lack of a quality power play for both of these teams. In fact, DJ says the Rangers are even worse on the PP than the B’s! The guys also get into the resurgence of Milan Lucic and his deceptive speed and grit. Dale and DJ talk about the similar styles of play for these teams and look forward to Game 2.

Shawn Thornton on the Bru…

Shawn Thornton on the Bruins game 2 win

Shawn joined the show to discuss the teams great performance in game two against the Rangers. Shawn said that he wouldn't mind playing for John Tortorella because he seems like a funny guy.

Things you would never do

John, Gerry and Kirk give their things that they would never do, listeners joined on the WEEI yakoff app with their thoughts.

Kirk sings the Star Spangled Banner

After hearing the horrible performance by Alexis Normand at the Memorial Cup in Canada, Minihane saved us all by delivering a heartfelt rendition of our national anthem.

Andy Brickley, NESN: Go w…

Andy Brickley, NESN: Go with the young guys at D

Brickley joins the show and discusses what the Bruins should do with their young defensemen once the veterans return from injury, the play of Rask, and Torterella's coaching style.

Lyndon Byers on the Bruins defensemen situation

LB joins the show in studio to discuss the Bruins taking a 2-0 series lead against the Rangers and what Claude should do when Seidenberg, Redden, and Ference are ready to play.

Sox Talk- M&M discuss the winning streak and future of Ellsbury

Mut and Merloni get into a Red Sox discussion after a successful weekend in Minnesota. They discuss Pedroia, Lackey, and the future of Ellsbury with the Red Sox.

An Hour with Jack: Jack E…

An Hour with Jack: Jack Edwards joins Salk and Holley to break down a game two win and preview game three

What's better than a whole hour with NESN's Jack Edwards? Not much. We talk all hockey, all the time with Jack live from his study, with a "Loving Cup", whatever that is.

Bruins in complete control of Rangers two games into series

We talk hockey as the Bruins have had little problem taking a 2-0 series lead against the much talk about NY Rangers. Will this continue in games 3 and 4 at MSG? We discuss.

Salk and Holley's Four at Four - 05/21/13

We tackle four topics we haven't yet touched upon today. Gronk!, Proms with celebs and athletes and much more.

Daily Planet Monday May 2…

Daily Planet Monday May 20th

Today on the Daily Planet the Bruins have a 2-0 lead over the New york Rangers, the Red Sox are back on the winning sde of things, and the noteable birthdays of the day.

Daily Planet Thursday May 9th

The Bruins have almost finished raking the Leafs, the Red Sox struggle from the mound, Miami Heat fans show their level of class.

Daily Planet Wednesday May 8th

Daily Planet Wednesday May 8th

Salk and Holley's Miked U…

Salk and Holley's Miked Up and Answer the Question 05/21/13

....uhhhh.....a bunch of bombs over there....

Salk and Holley's Miked Up and Answer the Question - 05/17/13

Sounds like a prostate exam to me!

Salk and Holley's Miked Up and Answer the Question - 05/16/13

Damn New Yorkers!

Linda calls in to describ…

Linda calls in to describe the scene on Dexter St in Watertown

Linda explains how the shootout transpired in Watertown during the early morning hours. She saw the first suspect mortally wounded and police beginning the manhunt for the second suspect.

More from this show

Danny Ainge dispels the r…

Danny Ainge dispels the rumors: "I have the best coach in the NBA"

We check in with Danny Ainge for our first talk to him since the Celtics season ended last weekend. We talk about the future of the team, KG, Pierce, Doc Rivers and more, as Danny directly answers the rumors being floated by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.

More from this show

Minor Details Ep. 49: Man…

Minor Details Ep. 49: Managerial development with Torey Lovullo and Arnie Beyeler

By and large, the focus of development in the minor leagues is on players. Still, there is a developmental path for coaches and managers in the farm system, as is evident from the fact that the previous two managers of the Red Sox' Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket -- Torey Lovullo (2010) and Arnie Beyeler (2011-12) are now both on the Red Sox' big league coaching staff. They share their insights about the differences between player and coaching expectations in Triple-A vs. the majors, while discussing professional development from the perspective of former minor league managers who aspire to similar positions in the big leagues.

More from this show

Things you would never do

Things you would never do

John, Gerry and Kirk give their things that they would never do, listeners joined on the WEEI yakoff app with their thoughts.

More from this show

Shawn Thornton on the Bru…

Shawn Thornton on the Bruins game 2 win

Shawn joined the show to discuss the teams great performance in game two against the Rangers. Shawn said that he wouldn't mind playing for John Tortorella because he seems like a funny guy.

More from this show

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