Except I said Logs, which are verifiable numbers that show the actual statistics and numbers of a large sample size.
Showing that they have always performed well and at several times been number one for an entire raid.
Popular opinion/perception may influence the numbers some, but when you can see sims and logs for more than half the xpacs now, these begin to show statistical trends.
Mage has never once been weak in any aspect of the game. No other class can say the same.
What I say is an opinion, but by no means is the information I base on the opinion anecdotal.
Now do I believe it’s intentional? No, because mages are a traditional fantasy figure and not hard to really create meaningful spells for the fantasy.