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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
01/15/2011 - 1:45am
The Three-Pointer: Shaquille O'Neal's timely emergence
With all the injuries the Celtics are having, it’s something of a minor miracle that Shaquille O’Neal has appeared in 30 of their 39 games. They never know from day to day if Shaq will be able to play. Asked why, Doc Rivers responded, “Cause he’s old as hell.”
Paul Flannery
01/13/2011 - 1:15am
The Three-Pointer: The problem with Jermaine O'Neal's knee
The news Wednesday from the Celtics, other than their 119-95 blowout win over the Kings (click here for a full recap), was that Kevin Garnett would probably miss another game before hopefully returning to the court Monday when the Celtics have a showdown game with the Orlando Magic.
Paul Flannery
01/09/2011 - 11:31pm
The running man: How Ray Allen's constant motion drives the Celtics
There are certain things Ray Allen can control and there are others that are beyond him. Take the act of making a jump shot, for example.
Paul Flannery
01/08/2011 - 12:51am
The Three-Pointer: The legend of Luke Harangody
On a cold, snowy night in Boston a new folk-hero was born. Ladies and gentlemen, allow us to tell you of the tale of Luke Harangody.
Paul Flannery
01/06/2011 - 1:42am
The Three-Pointer: Starring Rajon Rondo, as himself
It was late in the second quarter when San Antonio’s George Hill found himself all alone under the Celtics basket about to cruise in for an easy two points. Out of nowhere Rajon Rondo appeared for a no-way, no-how clean block.
Paul Flannery
01/04/2011 - 10:03pm
Paul Pierce's consistently improving game
For almost a half of basketball, Paul Pierce had something of an identity crisis. Should he be the passer and facilitator that he was while Rajon Rondo was out of the lineup, or should he be the lead scoring option, a role that has defined the majority of his career? 
Paul Flannery
01/04/2011 - 1:50am
The Three-Pointer: Finding ways to win
The Celtics wouldn’t have found a way to win this game last season. Luke Ridnour wouldn’t have traveled. Nate Robinson wouldn’t have sank both free throws with four seconds left. Michael Beasley would have made a 3 in the final seconds.
Paul Flannery
01/02/2011 - 11:25pm
The Three-Pointer: The return of Rajon Rondo
For a team with the best record in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics sure needed a win Sunday night. They had lost three of four, which qualifies as a minor slump, but more importantly, they hadn’t played very good basketball since the middle of December.
Paul Flannery
12/31/2010 - 9:21pm
The Three-Pointer: The curse of trying to do too much
About three hours before Glen Davis bricked a 3-pointer in the closing minutes of an 83-81 loss to the Hornets, Friday afternoon, Doc Rivers talked about players not trying to do more than they should. “We don’t need anyone to step up,” Rivers said.
Paul Flannery
12/30/2010 - 9:17pm
What's next for the Celtics without Kevin Garnett
All things considered, the word from Celtics president Danny Ainge on The Big Show that Kevin Garnett will miss a couple of weeks with a strained calf muscle was greeted with a huge sigh of relief.
Paul Flannery
12/29/2010 - 12:20am
The Three-Pointer: Marquis Daniels saves the Celtics
In 2008, the Celtics won 19 straight games before going to Los Angeles for a Christmas day showdown with the Lakers. They lost that one, starting a run of losing seven of nine games. In 2009, the Celtics capped off a 14-1 stretch with a win over the Magic on Christmas.
Paul Flannery
12/25/2010 - 7:20pm
The Three-Pointer: The end of a streak
The Celtics 14-game winning streak came to an end in the final three minutes and 20 seconds against the Orlando Magic, but it had been brewing ever since Rajon Rondo injured his ankle against the Knicks a week and a half ago.
Paul Flannery
12/23/2010 - 1:29am
The Three-Pointer: Good, but not good enough for Celtics
The Celtics won their 14th straight game on Wednesday night by beating an angry but overmatched Philadelphia 76ers team, 84-80 at TD Garden. (Click here for a recap.)
Paul Flannery
12/21/2010 - 9:00pm
A peek behind the Celtics' curtain
Like most NBA teams, the Celtics conduct their practices behind a veil of secrecy. Actually, they do their business behind a curtain, which goes down over the viewing area from the media room’s perch above their practice court in Waltham.
Paul Flannery
12/19/2010 - 6:58pm
The Three-Pointer: Paul Pierce gives the game what it needs
Paul Pierce has a great little saying that he has been using more and more in recent weeks: “I just try to give the game what it needs.”
Paul Flannery
12/17/2010 - 2:04am
What's next for the Celtics without Rajon Rondo
When Danny Ainge made official on The Big Show Thursday afternoon what everyone suspected – that Rajon Rondo was going to be out for “a few weeks” – it would have been easy for the Celtics to say, enough. No more.
Paul Flannery
12/16/2010 - 1:55am
True grit: Celtics embrace the challenge in thrilling win over the Knicks
NEW YORK – After all the shots, all the game-winners, all the times Paul Pierce has done what he wound up doing to the Knicks Wednesday night, he still gets nervous.
Paul Flannery
12/14/2010 - 2:16pm
You call this a rivalry?
True to form, the Celtics weren’t exactly ready to play along with the hype heading into Wednesday’s game with the red-hot Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Paul Flannery
12/11/2010 - 11:59pm
The Three-Pointer: A familar reason for Celtics success
Here’s the frightening thing for the rest of the NBA: The Celtics played one of their worst offensive games of the season, without their top three centers and still won by 31 points on the road.
Paul Flannery
12/09/2010 - 1:13am
The Three-Pointer: Doc keeps it simply effective
It’s so simple, really. The Celtics starting five is very good at what they do, maybe better than everyone else, or at least as good as any other combination in the league. So, Doc Rivers thought, let’s play them together for longer stretches and see what happens.
Paul Flannery
12/05/2010 - 5:33pm
The Three-Pointer: Nate Robinson answers the call
It’s not often that the Celtics are able to enjoy a laugher on weekend afternoons. They have a well-worn reputation for playing down to their level of competition when the sun is still out. Take two weeks ago in Toronto, for example, which not coincidentally was the last time the Celtics lost a game.
Paul Flannery
12/04/2010 - 2:55am
The Three-Pointer: Enjoy Kevin Garnett while you can
It’s no secret that Joakim Noah doesn’t like Kevin Garnett very much and it’s a storyline that owes more to wrestling that basketball. The backstory: Noah grew up idolizing Garnett and then expressed his shock that Garnett didn’t return the favor when they met as professionals.
Paul Flannery
12/03/2010 - 12:15am
Why Doc Rivers is the perfect coach for the Celtics
Contrary to popular opinion, Doc Rivers is not a particularly easy man to play for. He’s not one to let things slide and he can be brutally honest with his players. “It can be annoying sometimes,” Glen Davis, a frequent target of Rivers’ sometimes biting comments, said the other day. “But Doc is Doc.
Paul Flannery
12/02/2010 - 2:03am
The Three-Pointer: One shot defined the Celtics' greatness
So, here was the situation. The Celtics had somehow managed to turn a 16-point lead into a one-point advantage with just 28 seconds left after not scoring a point for almost five minutes. A big reason for the scoring drought was an uncharacteristic off night from Ray Allen, who had made just two of the 11 shots he attempted and even (gasp) threw up an airball.
Paul Flannery
11/29/2010 - 12:32am
The Celics blueprint is harder than it looks
As the Miami Heat continue to stumble toward something that looks like mediocrity -- at least in the win column -- the comparisons to the first season of the Celtics big three have started again.


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.

Red Sox Manager John Farr…

Red Sox Manager John Farrell with Salk and Holley

We check in with Red Sox skipper John Farrell for our weekly Sox update and get the latest on the injury to Clay Buchholz, and a whole lot more.

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.

Shawn Thornton on D&C: St…

Shawn Thornton on D&C: Still anybody's series

The Bruins have looked quite good taking a 2-1 lead on the Blackhawks, but Shawn Thornton says the team is not getting ahead of itself. Thornton also talks about what makes Patrice Bergeron such a great player and teammate. He also squeezes in a few shots at his friend Keegan Bradley.

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.

Shawn Thornton on D&C: St…

Shawn Thornton on D&C: Still anybody's series

The Bruins have looked quite good taking a 2-1 lead on the Blackhawks, but Shawn Thornton says the team is not getting ahead of itself. Thornton also talks about what makes Patrice Bergeron such a great player and teammate. He also squeezes in a few shots at his friend Keegan Bradley.

Keegan Bradley joins D&C live at the Travelers Championship in Connecticut

Keegan Bradley hopped on the set in Connecticut with D&C to talk some golf, but seeing as how he's a big Boston sports fan, the interview covered a lot of ground. You can hear Keegan talk about the Bruins' Cup chances, the Doc Rivers deal that almost was, and Shawn Thornton's lacking golf game.

SI's Michael McCann breaks down the Aaron Hernandez situation

Legal expert Michael McCann joined D&C to take on the topic of the day: Just what exactly is happening with Aaron Hernandez? McCann addressed Hernandez' lack of cooperation in the investigation so far, and how that may play out as the case moves along.

LB talks Bruins Blackhawk…

LB talks Bruins Blackhawks in studio

LB joins Mut and Merloni and discusses the Stanley Cup Finals and takes phone calls from listeners.

Mut and Merloni respond to the Boston Herald

Despite many other important newsworthy items, the Boston Herald decided it was appropriate to put a story about Mut and Lou sending a vulgar cake to a Chicago radio station on the front page of today’s paper. Mut and Merloni respond, make it clear it was just a good natured joke and not meant to offend anyone.

Buster Olney, ESPN, on the struggles of Andrew Bailey

Buster joins the program to discuss the problems of Andrew Bailey, what closers are available in the market, the Buchholz injury, and the latest in the biogensis scandal.

Aaron Hernandez questione…

Aaron Hernandez questioned in murder probe: Is the 'Patriot Way' a thing of the past?

We talk about the developing Aaron Hernandez story line and look at it from the context of 'the Patriot Way', the theory that the Patriots only deal with high character athletes. Is that Patriot way gone? Did it ever even exist? We discuss.

An hour with Jack Edwards: Blackhawks will not go down without a fight

We check in with Jack Edwards live on location for an hour of Stanley Cup preview. Jack warns us all not to get overconfident, the Bruins haven't won anything yet.

NHL Network's Kathryn Tappen with Salk and Holley

We talk pucks with the lovely and talented Kathryn Tappen of the NHL Network and preview game 4 of the Stanley Cup final and beyond.

Bernie Carbo

Bernie Carbo

Mikey gets a surprise call from Red Sox legend 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 George 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 - 06/19/13

You ask us, we answer it. Or you ask Jack, he answers it.

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.

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

SI's Michael McCann break…

SI's Michael McCann breaks down the Aaron Hernandez situation

Legal expert Michael McCann joined D&C to take on the topic of the day: Just what exactly is happening with Aaron Hernandez? McCann addressed Hernandez' lack of cooperation in the investigation so far, and how that may play out as the case moves along.

More from this show

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