Not true lah. That cam can still get the job done, and can deliver good results too.

Picture quality is in-par to D300 if not better. Just that the body is on the smaller side, may not balance the big lenses well, but with grip should be much better.
I wouldn't comment on the AF speed, as I don't have my D300 there to compare. But I feel the speed is decent enough. I really don't mind replacing D300 (should it die on me) with D7000 to work on the field as secondary camera.
As for the NPS part... can get nikon to include D7000 in also... since they make this camera to work like pro....
Some how D7000 remind me of my first DSLR, D70..... almost same build quality and size.