Yeah that’s a really great point. That’s tough too because we’ve learned the way these people sound and what they play is all bundled up in the (probably) subconscious choices they’ve made in how they move their pick. I don’t know how much it’s been discussed, but physiological aspects could be why they chose a particular primary joint over another.
I’ve been a victim of this myself and if I had to pick one recurring theme I’ve seen is players submitting technique critiques where they want to do USX because they like Eric Johnson or Yngwie. If someone else has a very natural wrist based DSX or elbow mechanic, it makes sense to foster this. It’s really all EJ and Yngwie did! They found what worked for them and exploited it.
Again, myself included, I think many have a tendency to focus on what we’re not so good at since it’s viewed as a weakness we overcome. Everyone has some weakness somewhere. Ask Eric Johnson to play a 3nps scale with alternate picking…he probably can’t do it very well lol!
The better approach is what Troy advocates and that’s to roll with what you’re good at. You can always add more things in later. If you’ve never experienced the freedom of playing fast with a truly efficient motion (and selecting phrases that conform the implications), you have no reference point. Once you get this, onwards and upwards.
But if there’s something a player has been really struggling with for years or even months, the best remedy is to try something else.