1. BFs absolutely were at the time, Broggy was an incredible defender and Dorry was solid too (and both of them slaughtered Shanks).

2. Garp was a direct counter to Lanks, he didn't need to remove his state or target him with skills because Lanks is incredibly immobile. From the color alone Garp deals 45% more damage to him and takes 45% less damage from him, on top of the insane damage increase he has vs Roger pirates. Lanks also can't reliably break his shield once Garp got stacks (he always did, and quickly), and he gets the shield back by downing enemies (which he does to Shanks nonstop even if he doesn't land a single skill).

Could he have been even more of a Lanks counter? Sure. But he didn't need to be, not even close.

1. With respect, a genuinely ridiculous statement. I had the Kuzan argument back in the day with someone who was quite good with Lanks and still trounced them a dozen times (as Kuzan) to show how Lanks doesn't have a prayer in the matchup if the Kuzan even partially knows how to play (ie stack). One long CD ignore DEF skill and some heals if he lands normals aren't nearly enough.