Yes, I agree. Kishimoto has done things that I don't particularly like -- things that have caused me to express displeasure and wonder, "Where did that come from?" -- but I don't think he's a 'bad' writer. I wouldn't be here if I thought he was. He has his strengths and weakness just like anyone, and there are times that I find him a very compelling storyteller. Writing isn't easy (and I say that as a mere amateur myself); writers make mistakes, and successful writers also have to face pressure from editors and publishers to do certain things that may even force them to change the story in ways that they may not want to.
It's easy for us as readers to judge Kishi's errors and storytelling choices and to say "he should have done this," or "he have done that differently." I'm not saying that there is not justifiable criticism, but I would not claim Kishimoto to be a bad writer simply because he did not do things in a way I might have preferred.
yup