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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
11/01/2011 - 11:55pm
Requiem for opening night
This should have been opening night for the Celtics. It would have been our first real chance to see the familiar faces and whatever new pieces team president Danny Ainge was able to acquire after what would have been a hectic offseason.
Paul Flannery
10/21/2011 - 1:01am
The lockout that never ends
So this is where we are on Day 112 of the NBA lockout that never seems to end. After three days and more than 30 hours of negotiations, the NBA and the union that represents the players have walked away from each other again without a new collective bargaining agreement. The issues remain the same – the revenue split and the system – only this time the rhetoric has gone from simmer to boil.
Paul Flannery
10/17/2011 - 9:16pm
History aside, Celtics can't be counted out of Dwight Howard sweepstakes
While the NBA drifts off toward the ether one of the most important storylines of the season that may never be received a kickstart when Dwight Howard sat down with Esquire’s Scott Raab.
Paul Flannery
10/14/2011 - 2:52pm
Welcome to David Stern’s lockout
Is everyone having fun yet? The commissioner who acts on behalf of the 30 owners in the NBA locked the players out on July 1 after the collective bargaining agreement expired, surprising absolutely no one. It’s true that there was some discussion before the owners, with Stern as their proxy, closed up shop after one of the most compelling NBA seasons in recent memory.
Paul Flannery
10/11/2011 - 9:45pm
Untangling the issues in the NBA lockout
The NBA announced on Monday that it was cancelling the first two weeks of the regular season, which means that for the second time in 13 years the league will miss games. To the union this was an inevitable conclusion to a process that began two years ago when the two sides informally began talks. "I'm convinced this was all just part of the plan," Billy Hunter, executive director of the National Basketball Players Association told reporters on Monday.
Paul Flannery
10/04/2011 - 11:13pm
Back to the brink, but reasons for optimism for NBA
There are two ways to look at the mess the NBA is in now. There’s the pessimistic view that the season will not start on time and the league and the players association not only didn’t come to an agreement, but also reverted back to rhetoric and spin. The optimistic view is that buried beneath the rancor is the reality that the NBA finally made a move toward the players.
Paul Flannery
10/04/2011 - 1:14am
Time for NBA to make a deal, or else
After all the posturing, blood issues and extreme consequences it appears that the NBA and National Basketball Player’s Association are finally getting down to the heart of the matter. There have been hints of movement, longer negotiations and even a flare-up between commissioner David Stern and Dwyane Wade. All of that has, “set the table for [Tuesday’s] meeting,” in the words of Stern’s deputy Adam Silver.
Paul Flannery
09/10/2011 - 7:54pm
In remembrance of 9/11
This isn’t a story about healing. It’s not about politics or war. It’s simply a story about someone I used to know. It’s odd that I can vividly remember so much about that day, but I can’t remember how I found out about Marty – only that he was in one of the Towers.
Paul Flannery
08/24/2011 - 2:41pm
In defense of Jeff Green
Danny Ainge said the expectations were too high. Doc Rivers talked about losing continuity.
Paul Flannery
07/25/2011 - 4:04pm
The case for re-signing Marquis Daniels
There’s a tendency to believe that the date that defined the Celtics season was Feb.
Paul Flannery
07/19/2011 - 6:08pm
Examining the Celtics 2011-12 schedule
Paul Flannery
07/13/2011 - 11:24pm
Examining the Dwight Howard sweepstakes
As we sit in the middle of July with no labor agreement, no labor meetings scheduled and no real clue as to what the rules for franchise-building will be in the future, it seems pointless to speculate on the future of anything.
Paul Flannery
07/11/2011 - 2:51pm
Bill Russell's statue finds a home
It was about a year ago when the idea took hold in a bar over by Fenway. The question itself was simple: Why doesn’t Bill Russell have a statue?
Paul Flannery
06/30/2011 - 10:15pm
What the lockout means for the NBA and the Celtics
What has been anticipated for more than two years became official on Friday morning as the NBA locked out its players. The league emailed a statement on Thursday, which explained the tangible effects of the lockout:
Paul Flannery
06/24/2011 - 2:28am
Celtics build for future while adding to present
In time the 2011 NBA draft may be viewed through the prism of history as a strange and curious footnote in an uncertain future for the league. With labor unrest swirling many of the top prospects elected to stay in the safety of their college programs.
Paul Flannery
06/19/2011 - 9:17pm
Labor uncertainty clouds Celtics future
While the NBA gears up for Thursday’s draft, a bigger story will play out earlier this week in New York. On Tuesday, the league and the player’s union are meeting in what appears to be pivotal talks in the hope of coming to an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Paul Flannery
06/13/2011 - 4:58pm
Miami's loss leaves window open for Celtics
Something fundamentally changed in the NBA this past week.
Paul Flannery
06/07/2011 - 3:01pm
Why the return of Ray Allen is good for him and the Celtics
Last season, 35-year-old Ray Allen played 36 minutes a night in 80 games and didn’t miss any time because of injury. He shot a career-high from the floor (49 percent) and 3-point range (44 percent) and was once again an All-Star after a one-year absence.
Paul Flannery
06/03/2011 - 2:52pm
Shaquille O'Neal's entertainingly frustrating season in Boston
On the day Shaquille O’Neal met Boston, he was greeted by a wall of television cameras, photographers and reporters from both news and gossip along with the usual sports media contingent. Taken in a vacuum, this spectacle made no sense. He was here as just another old vet looking to hang on one for more year at the minimum.
Paul Flannery
05/25/2011 - 8:23pm
Celtics rewind: What went right in 2010-11
“We look at it probably as a failure this year, not winning a championship,” – Rajon Rondo after the Celtics were eliminated in Miami.
Paul Flannery
05/17/2011 - 2:46pm
Bill Russell reflects on his statue
For the first time since plans were unveiled for a statue, Bill Russell spoke publicly about the honor. If you expected a quick and easy response from Russell, you’ve got the wrong guy.
Paul Flannery
05/15/2011 - 6:42pm
Why Danny Ainge is bringing back the big three
The Celtics are bringing the band back together for one more year and no one seems particularly thrilled with the notion of turning into a version of the mid 2000’s Pistons; a.k.a. the team that was one of the toughest outs in the league, but didn’t have enough to get back to the summit.
Paul Flannery
05/12/2011 - 1:21am
No happy ending for these Celtics
MIAMI -- Sometimes the story simply doesn’t end the way you had hoped and sometimes the surprise twist simply doesn’t deliver on its promise. For eight months, the Celtics played this NBA season for the sole purpose of avenging last year’s bitter defeat at the hands of the Lakers in Game 7 of the finals.
Paul Flannery
05/11/2011 - 1:34am
Game 5: All on the line for Celtics
MIAMI — At this point it is no longer about adjustments, strategies or X’s and O’s. The Celtics know what they have to do against Miami — limit turnovers, hit the defensive boards, protect the paint.
Paul Flannery
05/10/2011 - 1:27am
For Celtics, the one that got away
So here were the Celtics all tied with the Heat through an impossibly wretched offensive fourth quarter, playing with a one-armed point guard, no center and three Hall of Famers with their needles hovering on empty.


Audio On Demand

Former Patriot Matt Light…

Former Patriot Matt Light on the Pats offseason

Matt joined the program to discuss his first ever cornhole contest and to break down the Patriots offseason. He told the guys that he was upset that the Pats were unable to bring Wes Welker back to the team.

Tom Brady on the loss of Wes Welker

Tom Brady joined the program to discuss his upcoming charitable event supporting Best Buddies and his off-season. Tom said that he has learned not to worry about free agency decisions since he cant control any of them. Lastly he defended his over the top celebration at the Kentucky Derby.

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.

Jackie MacMullan on Doc: …

Jackie MacMullan on Doc: "He's coming back"

Jackie MacMullan joins Mut and Merloni to discuss the latest rumors surrounding Celtics head coach Doc Rivers and whether he'll be back next season with the team.

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.

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington…

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington on Jacoby Ellsbury

Ben joined the program to discuss the return of Terry Francona and said that he always had a good relationship with the former manager. Ben added that he thinks Ellsbury is in a slump due in part to the amount of left handed pitchers the team has faced.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia postgame with Joe and Dave

Salty spoke with Joe Castiglione & Dave O'Brien after he helped his team to a 6-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox tonight. The Red Sox return to Fenway after going 6-3 on the road trip.

Red Sox Manager John Farrell with Salk and Holley

We check in with Red Sox Manager John Farrell live from Chicago and get his take on a good week for the Sox, a tough series since then in Chicago, and other team related notes.

Andy Brickley, NESN, on w…

Andy Brickley, NESN, on why B's match up well against Rangers

Andy Brickley joins the show to discuss what he expects to see from the Rangers tonight, why the Bruins match up well against them, and potentially closing out the series tonight

Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports: B's have instilled "fear" "concern" and "doubt" into Rangers

McGuire joins Mut and Merloni to discuss the Bruins game 3 win, the Rangers awful power play, and the Shawn Thornton Derek Dorsett altercation.

Shawn Thornton on his big game three

Shawn joined the program to discuss his big night at MSG. He told the guys that it is not Marchand's job to fight and that he needs to be on the ice and out of the penalty box.

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington…

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington on Jacoby Ellsbury

Ben joined the program to discuss the return of Terry Francona and said that he always had a good relationship with the former manager. Ben added that he thinks Ellsbury is in a slump due in part to the amount of left handed pitchers the team has faced.

Former Patriot Matt Light on the Pats offseason

Matt joined the program to discuss his first ever cornhole contest and to break down the Patriots offseason. He told the guys that he was upset that the Pats were unable to bring Wes Welker back to the team.

Tom Brady on the loss of Wes Welker

Tom Brady joined the program to discuss his upcoming charitable event supporting Best Buddies and his off-season. Tom said that he has learned not to worry about free agency decisions since he cant control any of them. Lastly he defended his over the top celebration at the Kentucky Derby.

Andy Brickley, NESN, on w…

Andy Brickley, NESN, on why B's match up well against Rangers

Andy Brickley joins the show to discuss what he expects to see from the Rangers tonight, why the Bruins match up well against them, and potentially closing out the series tonight.

M&M's Voice Activated Texts- Motor Mouth Meg in the Cape

One of the many Mut and Merloni callers, Meg in the Cape, chats with Mike and Lou about the Bruins and a whole bunch of other stuff in the span of about 2 min. Afterwards, Mut and Merloni hear some voice activated text messages from people listening in to Meg.

Jackie MacMullan on Doc: "He's coming back"

Jackie MacMullan joins Mut and Merloni to discuss the latest rumors surrounding Celtics head coach Doc Rivers and whether he'll be back next season with the team.

Tom Brady plays the good …

Tom Brady plays the good soldier role in discussing departure of Wes Welker

Tom Brady appeared with D and C this morning and talked about the team's OTA's, the comings and goings, and most importantly what went down when Wes Welker left town, and how does he feel about it?

Salk and Holley's Four at Four - 05/23/13

Four guys, four topics we haven't mentioned today. Mark Sanchez, the Pacers blow it and more.

John Tortorella's Fraud Flag is flying, plus who's your 2013 Bruins MVP?

We talk about the mystique and respect around John Tortorella, and whether or not it's warranted. Plus we discuss with you who the 2013 Bruins MVP has to be. Tuuka? Bergeron? Claude?

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 - 05/23/13

Kirk's still a jerk, but we want a SWEEP!

Salk and Holley's Miked Up and Answer the Question - 05/22/13

The Jerks are joined by another, Jerk Minihane.

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.

Tom Brady on the loss of …

Tom Brady on the loss of Wes Welker

Tom Brady joined the program to discuss his upcoming charitable event supporting Best Buddies and his off-season. Tom said that he has learned not to worry about free agency decisions since he cant control any of them. Lastly he defended his over the top celebration at the Kentucky Derby.

More from this show

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

Former Red Sox manager Te…

Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona catches up with D&C

Terry Francona joins the Dennis and Callahan Show to discuss his first-place Indians team as well as his time in Boston. The former Boston manager also touches on his recent book co-authored by Dan Shaughnessy and Shaughnessy's recent dust-up with David Ortiz.

More from this show

Buster Olney, ESPN, on El…

Buster Olney, ESPN, on Ellsbury's future with Sox

Buster Olney joins Mut and Merloni to talk about the struggling Ellsbury and what that is doing to his contract value when he becomes a free agent.

More from this show

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington…

Red Sox GM Ben Cherington on Jacoby Ellsbury

Ben joined the program to discuss the return of Terry Francona and said that he always had a good relationship with the former manager. Ben added that he thinks Ellsbury is in a slump due in part to the amount of left handed pitchers the team has faced.

More from this show

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