A few thoughts from my side :
- Some gaming mags positioned or compared <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/div.gif" alt="" /> with D2 - therefore such thoughts arirse. I don't think if the comparison hadn't been taken place, the thougghts abbout similarities would've arisen.
- Strength..
Dexterity...
Constitution...
They are in ALL RPGs. They are kind of international basic standard, comparing rule-sets of RPGs. They are everywhere, for example in The Dark Eye.