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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
11/23/2010 - 12:03am
The Three-Pointer: No letdown for angry Celtics
The word ‘bored’ has been tossed around a little bit with the Celtics over the last few days and besides ‘injured,’ that’s the one word that no one really wants to hear with this team. Everyone knew it was going to happen at some point, but the fact that it began after just 11 games was a little disconcerting.
Paul Flannery
11/21/2010 - 6:29pm
The Three-Pointer: Bad trend continues for Celtics
For the second straight game the Celtics played as if the first half was a mere formality and for the second straight game they got burned.
Paul Flannery
11/20/2010 - 1:53am
The Three-Pointer: Celtics still seeking defensive identity
Doc Rivers called it earlier this week. Yes, the Celtics were winning games, and they were playing well, but they had not yet established that defensive identity that has been their trademark the last few years.
Paul Flannery
11/18/2010 - 1:08am
The Three-Pointer: A night of redemption for the Celtics
It might have been the lowest moment of a season that was spinning rapidly out of control when young Andray Blatche walked into the Garden and dropped 31 and 10 on Kevin Garnett last April. It wasn’t so much that Blatche had a good night, it was that Garnett could do nothing to make it stop.
Paul Flannery
11/16/2010 - 12:23am
Breaking down the Celtics hot start
If Doc Rivers had one great concern about his team’s mindset heading into the year it was that they would take the wrong lesson from their postseason-turnaround. He feared that they would assume that everything would be fine once they got to April, because it worked last year.
Paul Flannery
11/12/2010 - 2:03am
The Three-Pointer: The Celtics make a statement
As satisfying as the opening night win was for Celtics fans and everyone else who despised the new-look Miami Heat (read: just about everyone else on the planet), this one was better.
Paul Flannery
11/11/2010 - 1:14am
What to make of the Miami Heat?
When last we saw the Miami Heat, they were a team taking stock of themselves after an opening night pounding against the Celtics. “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” LeBron James said after the game.
Paul Flannery
11/08/2010 - 12:30am
The Three-Pointer: Big Baby might be the NBA's best sixth man
As the young and energetic Oklahoma City Thunder sliced what had been a three-touchdown lead down to scraps, Doc Rivers put the game in the hands of
Paul Flannery
11/06/2010 - 2:00am
The Three-Pointer: Rajon Rondo shows true grit
Derrick Rose had the ball at the top of the key isolated on Rajon Rondo. Tie game, shot clock turned off, the whole game in his hands. Rondo was waiting for the big man to set the screen on the pick and roll but Rose waved him off.
Paul Flannery
11/04/2010 - 4:11am
The two sides of Kevin Garnett
Jermaine O’Neal has known Kevin Garnett for a long time, just about half his life from their days as high school players in South Carolina. He has seen Garnett work himself into such a frenzy that he actually needs to talk himself down.
Paul Flannery
11/04/2010 - 1:29am
The Three-Pointer: Paul Pierce saves the night
The Celtics had Doc Rivers exasperated. They had blown a five-point lead in the final minute of play and, in his words, “We really worked at getting it to overtime.”
Paul Flannery
11/01/2010 - 10:02pm
The return of Kevin Garnett, on and off the court
There are lots of things that Kevin Garnett doesn’t like talking about, but the one thing he really doesn’t like talking about is numbers. Bring up a stat, particularly if it involves him personally, and he’ll scoff. Or scowl. Or curse.
Paul Flannery
10/30/2010 - 1:09am
The Three-Pointer: Defining roles
Doc Rivers called a meeting Friday morning. The purpose was to define roles for every player on the team. Rivers thought it was necessary, even at this early point of the season.
Paul Flannery
10/27/2010 - 11:53pm
The Three-Pointer: An inevitable letdown?
And on the next day, the Celtics played Cleveland. What a strange, eerie feeling it must have been to be back in the place where they caused so much devastation last spring.
Paul Flannery
10/27/2010 - 1:15am
The Three-Pointer: Not your everyday opener
Now that it’s over, the Celtics could concede that this was no ordinary game.
Paul Flannery
10/25/2010 - 11:29pm
Who's afraid of Miami? Not these Celtics
Here’s what the Celtics don’t care about in regards to the Miami Heat: The Decision, the fallout from The Decision, the media attention, the fallout from the media attention, the hype, the predictions and any of the fallout from the hype and the predictions.
Paul Flannery
10/25/2010 - 10:11pm
20 questions for the 2010-11 NBA season
As a new NBA season dawns, we’ve assembled our panel of hoops experts to break it all down. Will Doc Rivers stick around?
Paul Flannery
10/24/2010 - 8:33pm
The moment that changed Jermaine O'Neal's life
In the early hours of an Oregon Thanksgiving morning, 19-year-old Jermaine O’Neal’s life was about to change in ways he never could have imagined.
Paul Flannery
10/22/2010 - 12:29am
NBA Preview: Top five rookies to watch
This appears to be a fairly shallow season for rookies. Of course it felt that way last season as well, and then we were treated to an influx of exciting point guards, led by Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans and Steph Curry. The only thing we know for sure in this era of one-and-done college players is that we will be surprised. Here are five that will be watched from opening night.
Paul Flannery
10/22/2010 - 12:01am
The secrets of their success
Since Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce joined forces, the Celtics have won 178 games, eight playoff series, two conference championships and one world title.
Paul Flannery
10/21/2010 - 12:04am
The Three-Pointer: Making a point
Paul Flannery
10/20/2010 - 9:29pm
NBA Preview: Top five storylines
We are on the brink of a historic NBA season, one that has been several years in the making.
Paul Flannery
10/18/2010 - 9:35pm
Meet Lawrence Frank
Let's get this out of the way right from the start: Lawrence Frank is not Tom Thibodeau.
Paul Flannery
10/12/2010 - 7:39pm
The Celtics bizarro bench
Glen Davis is entering his fourth season with the Celtics, and during that time he’s learned a few things. The most important thing he’s learned is that he didn’t know anything.
Paul Flannery
10/10/2010 - 10:58pm
The Three-Pointer: Bench mob comes through again
Preseason is a time for experimentation. It’s a time to work on different combinations and lineups and a time to get a feel for what works and what needs work. Sometimes, happy accidents can occur when game situations dictate circumstances that are hard to replicate in practice. Such has been the case for the Celtics in their last two preseason games as they have come down to the fourth quarter and the second unit has had a chance to try and close games out.


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

Ed Olczyk, NBC Sports: "S…

Ed Olczyk, NBC Sports: "Surprised" by amount of goals in series so far

Eddie Olczyk joins the show to discuss the Bruins Rangers series and what to expect with Game 3 back in NY. He also talks about Seguin's inconsistency and the role of Jaromir Jagr.

Kenny Albert, NY Rangers PBP: Previews Game 3

Kenny Albert joins Mut and Merloni to discuss the play of Henrik Lundqvist, changes John Torterella may make before tonight's game, and if home ice advantage will make a difference.

Elliotte Friedman of CBC on the Bruins dominance of the Rangers

Elliotte Friedman joined the show to discuss the Bruins domination of the series thus far. He said that while nothing is certain he cannot see a way in which the Rangers come back and win the series.

Elliotte Friedman of CBC …

Elliotte Friedman of CBC on the Bruins dominance of the Rangers

Elliotte Friedman joined the show to discuss the Bruins domination of the series thus far. He said that while nothing is certain he cannot see a way in which the Rangers come back and win the series.

Steve Zipay of Newsday on the Rangers

Steve joined the show to discuss the Rangers and their coach John Tortorella. Steve said that the Bruins have been the far better team thus far in the series.

Can the Rangers turn things around?

Kirk and Gerry talked about game three tonight at Madison Square Garden between the Bruins and Rangers. Gerry and Kirk are not very confident in the ability of the Rangers to make this a series.

Ed Olczyk, NBC Sports: "S…

Ed Olczyk, NBC Sports: "Surprised" by amount of goals in series so far

Eddie Olczyk joins the show to discuss the Bruins Rangers series and what to expect with Game 3 back in NY. He also talks about Seguin's inconsistency and the role of Jaromir Jagr.

Kenny Albert, NY Rangers PBP: Previews Game 3

Kenny Albert joins Mut and Merloni to discuss the play of Henrik Lundqvist, changes John Torterella may make before tonight's game, and if home ice advantage will make a difference.

Mut Vs. Salk on NESN Daily

Find out which WEEI host came out victorious in the latest Salk Vs. Mut battle.

Full tilt, full time. New…

Full tilt, full time. Newest inductee to the Patriots Hall of Fame Tedy Bruschi with Salk and Holley

We talk to #54 about his career and well deserved induction to the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Salk and Holley's Four (or Five) at Four - 05/21/13

We tackle four off-topic topics! Today including RGIII's wedding registry, Tiger Woods, new putters in golf and more.

Barry Melrose: Sit the injured veteran defensemen until you need them, until you lose

We check in with ESPN's great hockey analyst and former NHL coach Barry Melrose to get his take on this Bruins-Rangers series. We also ask the coach in him how he'd deal with the great play of the rookie defensemen when the vets get healthy... and his answer might surprise you.

Daily Planet Tuesday May …

Daily Planet Tuesday May 21st

The Bruins look to take a 3-0 series lead, Jon Lester gets his first loss, Dwight Howard has options in free agency.

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.

Salk and Holley's Miked U…

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

They're like a ray of morning sunshine on an otherwise gloomy day.

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!

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

Boston bombing hero Jeff …

Boston bombing hero Jeff Bauman: "He's dead and I'm still here"

Jeff Bauman, a victim of the Boston Marathon bombing, joined the show to give the guys an update of his condition and a first-hand account of that terrible day. Jeff told the guys how he wrote the description of the bomber as soon as he could. Mr. Bauman added that he is aided every day with the knowledge that he is alive and the terrorist that detonated the bomb is dead.

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

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

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.

More from this show

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