In retrospect and after playing some D2 again, I do have to say that I really like D3's skill system better. You kind of have to know what you're doing in D2 and decide on a specific build (ice sorceress, etc) early or just leave your skill points unspent. Everybody crying about lack skill trees in D3 is a masochist imo.
While I usually end up spending stat points in the same ratio as D3 doles them out, I like that D2 was (or maybe just felt) less gear dependent, tho.