I think it's interesting that we see the same phenomenon with Trucks as we did with Stevie Ray in the 80's... all the younger fans seem to tend towards opining that he has surpassed the master innovator that he most emulated in his approach to the instrument- in SRV's case it was Hendrix(who is simply untouchable imo; to take me up on this point please don't hijack the thread), and in Derek's case it's Duane Allman(ditto). I believe both of the next-generation players have been able to approach their idols in brilliance (but not equal them at their own game) at which point (to their credit) they branched out stylistically, embracing diverse cultural musics, modern pop, funk etc.
"There, in huge black letters, was 'The Grateful Dead'. It just... cancelled my mind out."-Garcia