DAVE BURNS

Similar beginnings, hopefully different endings

May 9, 2013, 4:53 PM | Updated: 5:05 pm

Just because something starts the same way doesn’t mean, by rule, it has to end the same way.

You and I can go to the same restaurant and have completely different experiences. Between the waiters, the chef, the food, the hostess and the valet attendant (I don’t usually valet the car but I needed one more example), it’s all a series of twists and turns that potentially yields uncommon results. Bear that in mind when I make the following comparison:

Ryan McDonough reminds me of Josh Byrnes.

Not the man, mind you, the situation. I write this having not met him yet — that moment comes Thursday when Gambo and I host the show from US Airways Center.

Young, bright, super innovative, a blend of the new world analytics and the old school, eyeballs-on-the-target scouting, a pedigree of working with some of the best in the industry. A highly-praised selection from the moment it was announced.

Now, we all know Byrnes’ tenure with the Diamondbacks did not end well, be it the Eric Byrnes contract or letting A.J. Hinch ride shotgun from the manager’s seat.

But at the beginning, there was hope. Hope that the D-backs made a wise choice. Hope that Byrnes would stabilize a ship that was floundering from bad signings (Russ Ortiz), bad decisions (Wally Backman) and bad PR (Jerry Colangelo shown the door).

He ushered in what was presumed to be an era of believability. For a long while it was just that.

The hope is that McDonough can do the same. I have yet to read one credible NBA observer who doesn’t think the Suns absolutely killed it with this hire. When Lon Babby was on our show Tuesday, even he joked that it’s been a long time since he’s heard widely praised and his name in the same sentence.

McDonough has a mess to cleanup himself: Michael Beasley, mediocre draft picks, a plethora of future picks, and a coaching carousel that made us all nauseous.

I am as hopeful today about McDonough as I was that day about Byrnes.

I am even more hopeful that just because their tales start the same way, doesn’t mean it has to end so.

Dave Burns

New York Jets running back Chris Johnson trades jerseys with Tennessee Titans players, after an NFL...

Dave Burns

The Arizona Cardinals deserve a participation trophy

Give credit to Arizona Cardinals GM Steve Keim for one thing -- he's always trying to improve the roster.

9 years ago

Follow @Burnsy987...

Dave Burns

Doubling down on Ryan McDonough

I am going to actively avoid using the word "trust" when talking about Ryan McDonough and how he is going to fix the Phoenix Suns.

9 years ago

Follow @Burnsy987Presented By...

Dave Burns

A Corolla at running back might work for the Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals might be better off looking for a running back in the draft than to land the big name.

9 years ago

Follow @Burnsy987Presented By...

Dave Burns

On Darnell Dockett: This too shall pass

And two years from now he might very well be sounding that alarm high above the University of Phoenix crowd before a Cardinals home game.

9 years ago

Follow @Burnsy987Presented By...

Dave Burns

‘Same Old Cardinals’ becoming a distant memory

I was born in the early '70s but that doesn't mean I remember much about them.

9 years ago

Follow @Burnsy987...

Dave Burns

5 takeaways from Thursday’s wild trade deadline

Thursday was the most fun NBA trade deadline in recent memory.

9 years ago

Similar beginnings, hopefully different endings