The reason matches like that last so long, is people being scared to lose (my opinion).
Even when you're getting hit by a lumber and falling, you should be working to get out of its arc. Funny enough, its downward arc isn't great, so it can hinder itself that way to a point. Getting under the lumber is a good way to get away, though risky since if it pops your balloon, you're already low. Once you get close to him though, you force his movement. He has to move to get arcs and keep distance. So move him to your advantage, and there you have it.
And really, all heavy weapons have that extreme effect. Carronade does the same thing lumber does, just in your face. Hwacha can disable everything in one well placed barrage, and flak can insta-kill you if your armor is down.
And discussing balance is perfectly fine. Just know I offer my argument as just that, a different opinion, and not to shut you down ;p