Columnists
RSS Feed  RSS
Weei » Columnists » Paul Flannery » Paul Flannery Archive
ArchivesBlog
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
05/09/2010 - 9:10pm
The Three-Pointer: In Rajon they trust
Paul Flannery
05/08/2010 - 7:20am
The Three-Pointer: Can the Celtics Answer?
It was over when it started. The Cavaliers scored the first six points and never trailed in handing the Celtics the worst home playoff loss in their proud franchise history, 124-95 Friday night at the Garden. 
Paul Flannery
05/06/2010 - 8:29pm
Watch to watch for from Celtics, Cavs in Game 3
When last we left this series, the Celtics were embarrassing the Cleveland Cavaliers on their home court on the same night LeBron James was being awarded his second MVP. 
Paul Flannery
05/05/2010 - 7:35pm
The thankless life of Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce has the most unenviable job in the playoffs. He has to guard LeBron James, which is difficult enough. But if Pierce plays well defensively, then clearly James’ elbow was bothering him. If James goes off — as he did in Game 1 when he scored 35 points — then it’s on Pierce, even if it was a team breakdown.
Paul Flannery
05/04/2010 - 2:35am
The Three-Pointer: Now we have a series
CLEVELAND – The Celtics came into this town in the midst of a coronation. Not for them, of course. They are yesterday’s news. Too old, too unfocused, too whatever the hell their problem has been this season.
Paul Flannery
05/02/2010 - 6:13pm
What to watch for in Monday's Game 2
CLEVELAND — They say NBA playoff series are all about making adjustments, but that’s not completely true for the Celtics as they try to gain a split against the Cavaliers in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup Monday night.
Paul Flannery
05/02/2010 - 6:25am
The Three-Pointer: This one was full of regrets for the Celtics
CLEVELAND – If this series goes the distance, the Celtics will lament this one.
Paul Flannery
04/29/2010 - 8:20pm
How Celts will defend LeBron and the Cavs
WALTHAM – The Celtics have a problem and his name is LeBron James, but that’s far from the only thing that concerns them heading into their conference semifinals matchup with the Cavaliers. 
Paul Flannery
04/28/2010 - 9:12pm
Breaking down the Celtics-Cavs series
The Cleveland Cavaliers have the best record in the NBA and the best player in the world on their roster. Of course this was the exact same scenario for the Cavs last season, and they ultimately lost to Orlando in the conference finals.
Paul Flannery
04/28/2010 - 12:07am
The Three-Pointer: So long Miami, hello Cleveland
In the end, it doesn’t really matter how they got there. It doesn’t matter that the Celtics ended their series by TKO rather than the big haymaker finish that looked imminent early in the second half.
Paul Flannery
04/25/2010 - 8:44pm
The Three-Pointer: Celtics beware, the Heat still have Wade
MIAMI – What we had here Sunday afternoon was the perfect storm of a superstar playing on a level above even his lofty standards, complimented by a supporting cast that actually complimented him and an opponent who inexplicably missed layups and free throws in the final minutes. 
Paul Flannery
04/24/2010 - 8:04pm
What to watch for: Celtics have their guard up
MIAMI – Eighty eight and zero. In the history of the NBA there have been 88 playoff series that began with one team winning the first three games and each time that team has gone on to win the series.
Paul Flannery
04/24/2010 - 12:31am
The Three-Pointer: How Pierce showed Warren Sapp, Heat who's boss
MIAMI – The Celtics knew from the moment Game 2 ended that they would see everything the Miami Heat had left in Game 3.
Paul Flannery
04/22/2010 - 10:35am
Celtics-Heat Game 3: What to watch for
Do you believe yet? Are you ready to put that lackluster regular season behind you, or do you still want to see more before you get back on that Celtics bandwagon?
Paul Flannery
04/21/2010 - 1:39am
The Three-Pointer: Welcome back, Celtics
There is no secret formula for the Celtics. No magical concoction or spiritual chant that can be used to summon the spirit of a once-proud team. It’s all so very simple actually. When the Celtics play their defense the way it is supposed to be played and when they share the ball offensively, they still can be a devastating team.
Paul Flannery
04/19/2010 - 8:08pm
What to watch for in Tuesday's Game 2
It was said in the immediate aftermath of the Kevin Garnett elbow that launched a thousand blog posts that the Celtics and Heat are officially, “in a series now.” That’s true in a way, but while the weird KG-Quentin Richardson-Paul Pierce triangle has kept the fires burning over the last few days, the series doesn’t really begin until we see how the two teams adjust for Game 2.  
Paul Flannery
04/18/2010 - 2:08am
The Three-Pointer: How one elbow eliminated some Celtics' smiles
In the course of 48 minutes the Celtics replayed their 2009-10 season, only in reverse. They were sloppy and uninspiring early, just like they have been over the last three months, and then suddenly they were engaged defensively and unselfish offensively like they had been until Christmas. 
Paul Flannery
04/16/2010 - 10:02pm
No more excuses: Playoffs will define Celtics
Picture the marathon runner at the starting line in Hopkinton. Before them stretches 26.2 miles of hard, unforgiving asphalt. At that moment there is nothing else standing between them and their task. There is no more time to train, nothing more that can be done. Only they know if they are really prepared.
Paul Flannery
04/16/2010 - 4:01am
Feeling the Heat: Breaking down the Celtics' first-round opponent
At the All-Star Break, the Miami Heat were 26-27 and going nowhere fast. It was then that Dwyane Wade, impending free agent, began to make noise about the team making improvements.
Paul Flannery
04/14/2010 - 9:37pm
As playoffs near for C's, question loom
The last thing the Celtics needed heading into the playoffs was another distraction about their future, but that’s exactly what they got when a story about Doc Rivers landed in the Boston Herald Wednesday morning. The story noted that the team had approached the coach with the idea of a contract extension and Rivers declined to have the discussion until the summer.
Paul Flannery
04/11/2010 - 6:14am
The Three-Pointer: Celtics' win suggested playoffs are around the corner
You watch this Celtics team and it makes you shake your head.
Paul Flannery
04/07/2010 - 10:47pm
The Three-Pointer: A needed win
No matter how much they insist that the regular season is meaningless from here on out, the Celtics needed to get a win Wednesday night against the Raptors.
Paul Flannery
04/04/2010 - 6:59pm
The Three-Pointer: A 'must' win for Celtics
There really wasn’t anything on the line Sunday afternoon when the Celtics hosted the Cavaliers, except for pride.
Paul Flannery
04/03/2010 - 12:59am
The Three-Pointer: Celtics still trying to find their way
The Celtics lost yet another entertaining game Friday night. They lost because they couldn’t make free throws, especially down the stretch. They lost because Aaron Brooks shredded their defense with his dribble penetration and shotmaking.
Paul Flannery
04/01/2010 - 12:00am
Thunder are rolling in
When the season began, Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks had a simple goal for his team: He wanted them to play meaningful games in March and April. March is over, April is upon us and his team is 46-28 and a lock for the playoffs. At this rate, the Thunder might be playing meaningful games into May.


Audio On Demand

Pete Prisco Tim Tebow can…

Pete Prisco Tim Tebow cant play

Pete joined the show to discuss Tebow's signing with the Patriots. He said that Tim Tebow cant play and that he has trouble learning NFL playbooks.

It Is What It Is Cast, Jeff Howe

On this episode of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with the Boston Herald's Jeff P Howe about the Patriots offseason, Rob Gronkowski's back surgery, Danny Amendola replacing Wes Welker, and how this seasons team will stack up against last seasons.

It Is What Is Cast: Injury Expert Will Carroll

In the latest edition of the It Is What It Is Cast, Chris Price talks with Will Carroll. Injury expert and lead writer for Sports Medicine, Bleacher Report. They talk about the injury to Rob Gronkowski and what his back surgery could mean for his season.

Jeff Van Gundy on Doc and…

Jeff Van Gundy on Doc and the Celtics

Jeff joined the show to discuss the rumors of Doc heading to the Clippers. Jeff said that he will not discuss his future but that his brother would be a great candidate anywhere.

Stephen A. Smith on Doc to the Clippers

Stephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.

"Celtics Summer Cooler" With Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell - Hour 2

Grande and Max take more calls on the Celtics and discuss what lies ahead for Doc Rivers with Steve Bulpett.

John Farrell postgame pre…

John Farrell postgame press conference

John Farrell postgame press conference

Jonny Gomes postgame with Joe & Dave after the second Rays game

Joe & Dave talked to the Sox outfielder, who pounded the ball out of the park to win the second game of the doubleheader against the Rays.

John Farrell postgame press conference

John Farrell postgame press conference

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sport…

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports, on the Stanley Cup Finals

Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury, and Jagr.

Tony Amonte, CSNNE: on Hossa injury

Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins win.

Barry Pederson on the game three win

Barry joined the show to discuss the Bruins 2-0 win over the Blackhawks in game three. Barry continues to be impressed by the play of Bergeron.

Barry Pederson on the gam…

Barry Pederson on the game three win

Barry joined the show to discuss the Bruins 2-0 win over the Blackhawks in game three. Barry continues to be impressed by the play of Bergeron.

Jeff Van Gundy on Doc and the Celtics

Jeff joined the show to discuss the rumors of Doc heading to the Clippers. Jeff said that he will not discuss his future but that his brother would be a great candidate anywhere.

Bruins two wins away from the Cup

The guys opened the show discussing the Bruins' dominating Game 3 win over the Blackhawks. Gerry thinks the series is over.

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sport…

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports, on the Stanley Cup Finals

Pierre McGuire joins Mut and Merloni after a Bruins win and discusses the play of Rask and the defense, the Hossa injury, and Jagr.

Tony Amonte, CSNNE: on Hossa injury

Tony Amonte calls out Marian Hossa for missing Game 3 and recaps the Bruins win.

Andy Brickley, NESN: Previews Game 3 between the Bruins and Blackhawks

Andy Brickley joins Mut and Merloni in studio to take phone calls from the listeners and to preview Game 3 of the Stanley Cup.

Bruins take game three, c…

Bruins take game three, control of the series: Response and reaction

Salk and Holley break down a big Bruins win over the Blackhawks in game 3 at the garden.

An hour with Jack Edwards: Bruins look to take control of the Stanley Cup Final

We talk all Bruins, all the time with the man himself, Jack Edwards from NESN gets us ready for game three and beyond.

Salk and Holley's Four at Four - 06/17/13

Four guys, four topics we haven't yet touched upon today. TO visits Ocho, Bob Costas has enough smarm for us all, stupid beauty pageant contestants and more.

Bernie Carbo

Bernie Carbo

Mikey gets a surprise call from Bernie Carbo, they talk about old time baseball and Bernie's new book.

Tom Bean and Luke Poling, Producers, Writers and Directors of Plimpton!

Mikey talks with Tom and Luke about their new movie, Plimpton! and finds out what it was like to try to encapsulate everything Plimpton accomplished during his life.

Daily Planet, Friday May 31st

Today on the Daily Planet, the Red Sox and Yankees face off in the Bronx, Claude Julien doesn't want players wasting energy, and Dwight Howard and free agency.

Salk and Holley's Answer …

Salk and Holley's Answer the Question - 06/17/13

You ask, we answer. Today featuring NESN's Jack Edwards.

Salk and Holley's Answer the Question - 06/13/13

The new way we end the show. You ask, we answer.

Salk and Holley's Answer the Question - 06/11/13

You ask, we answer... anything!

Stephen A. Smith on Doc t…

Stephen A. Smith on Doc to the Clippers

Stephen A. joined the show to discuss the status of trade negotiations between the Clippers and the Celtics. Stephen said that it is a 50-50 proposition that Doc ends up in Los Angeles.

More from this show

Shawn Thornton on the Gam…

Shawn Thornton on the Game 2 win

Shawn joined the show to discuss the Bruins' OT win in Chicago. Shawn said that there was a heated discussion during the first intermission Saturday night in Chicago after the team's poor first period.

More from this show

Is Doc a goner?

Is Doc a goner?

The guys opened the show discussing the rumors regarding Doc Rivers being part of a deal between the Celtics and the Clippers.

More from this show

Minor Details Ep. 55: Xan…

Minor Details Ep. 55: Xander Bogaerts and Anthony Ranaudo

Both Xander Bogaerts and Anthony Ranaudo punctuated their strong 2013 seasons with head-turning events on June 13. On that day, Bogaerts, the Red Sox' top prospect, was promoted from Double-A Portland Pawtucket, with the 20-year-old becoming one of the youngest position players in the affiliate's history. On that same day, right-hander Anthony Ranaudo punched out 13 batters for Double-A Portland, the most strikeouts by a Red Sox minor leaguer since Jon Lester in 2005. They joined Minor Details to discuss both those accomplishments and their seasons to date.

More from this show

Former NHL player and ref…

Former NHL player and referee Paul Stewart in studio with John Ryder (Part 1)

Stewart joins Ryder to talk about his experience within the game of hockey. He breaks down the hockey culture overseas, life as an official and the Bruins’ Stanley Cup quest.

More from this show

Weei Writers