I have read (skimmed) many posts of readers decrying the fact that Francis is supposedly not a "true" PG compared to the likes of Jason Kidd and John Stockton. However, the fact of the matter is that Kidd and Stockton are exceptional in terms of handling and passing ability, quickness, on-court awareness, intelligence and unselfishness. Few players possess all of these qualities. Or in other words, the "true PG" is really only a theotical, idealized position that largely exists only on paper (although a few players such as Kidd and Stockton fulfill this ideal). It is true that compared to them Francis is not a so-call "true PG". However, for the most part, the distinction between PG and SG is overrated and is mostly defined more by size/height than that person's actual role and ability. For example, during the Bulls championships, although Jordan was not the "offical PG", he did bring up the ball many times, made passes and got the team involved. And Pippen, although he was actually a SF, did these things as well. In the olden days, there wasn't any of this non-sense of PF, SF, C, PG, SG. There were just F, F,C,G,G. Therefore instead of making Francis bring up the ball all the time and trying to pressure him act as a "true PG", it is better to simply have more than one person bring up the ball and share in passing and distributing the ball the way it used to be done in the olden days when these made-up distinctions of PG and SG did not yet exist. I believe that if Tomjanovich simply let Francis and Mobley or even one of the better handling forwards share in bringing up the ball and distributing and if players, fans and coaches went back to the days of just F,F,C,G,G things would be much better. If a team does have someone close to that idealized PG, then it makes sense for the offense to be run and set by him but if not, it is not a big deal as the tasks of bringing up the ball and distributing the ball can be shared just as in old-fashioned basketball. So, no Francis, is not a "true PG". Neither are most so-called PG today. Nor does it really matter.
Excellent post. I've always thought of Francis as a "guard", without the "point" or "shooting" title. He is a combination of the two, and to a lesser extent, so is Mobley. Both have ball handling and passing skills, and both have excellent offensive games. Ultimately, this will make the Rockets stronger. Having two guards that can create their own shots will only take the pressure off the big man in the middle.
