This is basically the argument, yeah. Theoretically one could also describe the BSD kernel in this way, even though the projects are more "batteries included"

This is basically the argument, yeah. Theoretically one could also describe the BSD kernel in this way, even though the projects are more "batteries included" in a sense. But nobody does that, because we just assume that if you're talking about BSD, you're not talking about ripping the userland out wholesale and replacing it. Why not? It's just common convention.