I don't quite get the bashers of NP and the competitive nature of some.
To quote Weckl at one of his clinics: "Drumming is not a competitive sport, it is an art form". I mean really now, bashing other drummers for their specialized skill, instead of applauding it? During the Sabian cymbal vote sessions, Weckl complimented Portnoy on his playing (check YouTube on it), he didn't have to, but he did it because he liked what he heard, pretty simple, humble and non-elitist...
Neil is "the" drummer for Rush, period, Geddy and Alex wouldn't sound good with anyone else, and Neil wouldn't sound good in any other band. I guess that's what has made them stand the test of time and show what true musical chemistry is.
I'm actually not a Rush fan. I used to be when I started playing as a teen (he was my hero as a drummer and intellect) and I was in an excellent and accurate Rush cover band back then. In college, I was turned on to Allan Holdsworth, Jack D, Clyde Stubblefield, Tony Thompson, Will Calhoun, Fish and etc. and it changed everything: sold the 21 pc, set, chimes and all, and learned how to play all over again and formed an identity, but that's just me...
Essentially that's what makes us all different and unique as drummers: the musical journey that brought us to where we are now - circling back to Weckl's point: it's an art form...