Speaking as a player with high ping, I liked the older melee as well. Playing on an EU server with 120 ping or so, spinning has been one of the few tactics I could rely on. Since the new patches, spinning gets about a 50/50 chance of pokes, much higher than it was before. Especially on backstabs that should be clear-cut. I haven't noticed anything making it easier to block with my higher ping either, people are still starting and finishing their attacks faster than my already primed one anyway.