I’ve been reading those couple of comments along the lines of an assumption that some people are going to be clutching their pearls at the mere notion that he’s about to enter that elite category.

Frankly, I agree. A lot of dudes in the office have said he’s still not there, he has too much help, if he can’t shoot he’s useless, not as good as *insert whatever guards they grew up watching*.
I don’t think BW thinks it’s awkward, but plenty of people probably will.