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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
03/15/2012 - 4:30am
Celtics hope to stick around through deadline
OAKLAND – About an hour before tip-off Paul Pierce came bouncing through the locker room. “I’m still around,” Pierce said to the press with a grin. “I’m still around.”
Paul Flannery
03/13/2012 - 4:20am
Will injuries force Danny Ainge to make another big move?
LOS ANGELES – The question hung in the air for a second while Danny Ainge considered his response.
Paul Flannery
03/12/2012 - 1:19am
The end of a Celtics-Lakers era?
LOS ANGELES – There was a crowd gathered to hear the losing coach talk because there’s always a crowd when the Celtics and Lakers play one another.
Paul Flannery
03/07/2012 - 2:59am
Appreciating the Celtics while they’re still here
Paul Flannery
03/05/2012 - 4:02pm
On Kevin Garnett, playing center
Kevin Garnett has long been one of the more fascinating characters in a locker room filled with intriguing characters.
Paul Flannery
03/04/2012 - 8:48pm
Can Rajon Rondo make Celtics dangerous again?
Doc Rivers looked at the box score. His eyes scanned immediately down to the bottom lines: Defensive rebounds, turnovers, free throws and field goal percentages.
Paul Flannery
03/03/2012 - 1:45am
Welcome to the silly season
They all had to know this was coming.
Paul Flannery
03/01/2012 - 7:41pm
The ever curious case of Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo is barely 26 years old, a three-time All-Star and a veteran of 73 postseason games, several of which were decided by him on days when he was the best player on a floor that included Most Valuable Players and future Hall of Famers.
Paul Flannery
03/01/2012 - 2:02am
The under-the-radar greatness of Kevin Garnett
In a career that has spanned a dozen years, six cities and countless teammates and coaches, Keyon Dooling has a rare perspective on life in the NBA. He’s a man who considers his thought carefully before he speaks.
Paul Flannery
02/23/2012 - 2:09am
Three questions as All-Star break finally arrives
Before this road trip from hell began, the feeling around the Celtics was that the next four games would tell a lot about who they are and where they are headed.
Paul Flannery
02/21/2012 - 2:14am
As Celtics falter, Danny Ainge's test begins
It’s tempting to say that the next 3 1/2 weeks are the most important stretch of Danny Ainge’s tenure as the man making the basketball decisions for the Celtics. It’s tempting, but it’s wrong.
Paul Flannery
02/20/2012 - 1:54am
The Celtics' maddening mediocrity
Through 30 games this season, the Celtics have had two three-game losing streaks, one five-game losing streak, two four-game winning streaks and one five-game run of victories.
Paul Flannery
02/17/2012 - 2:35am
The Celtics' slow, awkward transition
There aren’t many players who would be criticized after scoring 67 points and shooting 53 percent over their previous two games, but Rajon Rondo is unique that way. He gets killed when he’s too passive and dissected when he turns into a scoring machine.
Paul Flannery
02/16/2012 - 1:34am
An uncertain road ahead for Celtics
Doc Rivers had a bad feeling at halftime. His team was ahead by just two points on the lowly Pistons and he felt like it should have been more like a dozen. He didn’t like the way the offense was playing. He wasn’t real sold on the defense, either.
Paul Flannery
02/12/2012 - 10:27pm
The Rajon Rondo conundrum
Paul Flannery
02/10/2012 - 2:32am
Sun begins to set on Celtics, Lakers
The setting and the scene were so familiar. The Celtics and Lakers were in yet another meat-grinder of a game. Possessions were tight, fast breaks were rare and always there was the threat of a Lakers offensive rebound.
Paul Flannery
02/08/2012 - 1:38am
Paul Pierce reaches a milestone
The moment was finally here, and the folks who run the Garden in-game operations rose to the occasion.
Paul Flannery
02/04/2012 - 2:51am
The Celtics season starts now
For the first time since the season began, the Celtics had their starting five relatively healthy and ready to play. They also had their second unit essentially set, which has been an ongoing work in progress.
Paul Flannery
01/30/2012 - 12:09am
Anatomy of a Celtics collapse
Paul Pierce was frustrated. He wasn't alone.
Paul Flannery
01/28/2012 - 1:28am
The Truth: Paul Pierce is back
The score was tied early in the third quarter and all the Celtics’ hard work in the first half was gone.
Paul Flannery
01/27/2012 - 1:37am
The Celtics are not dead yet
The Celtics were trailing by 27 points and a decision seemed imminent.
Paul Flannery
01/24/2012 - 2:11am
The Celtics we know
There’s a moment in the game when Avery Bradley knows he has done what he set out to accomplish. It happens when the man he’s guarding starts to talk to him. Sometimes he tells him to back off, give him some room.
Paul Flannery
01/21/2012 - 6:04pm
What’s wrong with the Celtics offense?
There was no one specific play in their loss to the Suns on Friday night that encapsulated all the problems the Celtics have had scoring points.
Paul Flannery
01/20/2012 - 12:33am
Danny Ainge, TNT and lessons from Red
There’s a story Danny Ainge likes to tell about a Christmas party at which Red Auerbach shared the secrets of trades not made.
Paul Flannery
01/19/2012 - 1:39am
The Celtics don’t have to blow it up
Ray Allen has been through things like this before. More than a decade ago in another time and place, his Milwaukee Bucks team began the year with a 3-9 record.


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: Breaki…

An hour with Jack: Breaking down the Bruins OT win over the Rangers with NESN's Jack Edwards

We talk all things game one with Jack Edwards of NESN, and get to hear a little from Jack's Finnish protege as well.

Salk and Holley's Four at Four - 05/17/13

We tackle four topics we haven't yet touched upon today.. Joe Thornton and disappointing former Boston athletes, parking in Boston, buying jersey numbers and more...

Yo Soy Traction! Rob Gronkowski now may need back surgery in addition to his 4th surgery on his injured wrist.

We talk about the report that Rob Gronkowski may now be a candidate for back surgery with a disc problem. Is Gronk just an injury prone guy? Or is he not rehabbing proberly? Can the Pats build an offense around a guy who is so inconsistently on the field? We discuss.

Daily Planet Thursday May…

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

Daily Planet Tuesday May 7th

Today on the Daily Planet the Bruins take a 2-1 series lead, the Red Sox get a run-off win, and we hear about cannibals and bible thieves.

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

Buster Olney, ESPN: Ellsb…

Buster Olney, ESPN: Ellsbury play will hurt him in free agency

Buster Olney joins the show to discuss the muddled AL East, the average play of Ellsbury and how that will affect him in free agency, and Tropicana Field.

More from this show

Dale Arnold likes the Bru…

Dale Arnold likes the Bruins over the Rangers

Dale Arnold joined the program to preview the Bruins Rangers series with John, Gerry and Kirk. Dale thinks the Bruins have the advantage in the series over New York.

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

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