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Go on FFLogs and look at the usage statistics for PLD throughout Midas and Creator. There were as many, and often more Paladins clearing the first three fights in each of those two tiers than there were Dark Knights, and the story is similar through most/all of the HW primals.
Paladin was only excluded at the high end, for groups doing speedruns. SB DRK is only doing marginally better in that regard than HW PLD was, except that HW PLD was useful and popular at the lower end. DRK is underperforming at all levels.
So, you're comparing end-of-expansion PLD after multiple tweaks with start-of-expansion DRK now? Look at Gordias, where PLD stigma was formed. DRKs parses are twice PLDs. Even in Midas and Creator DRK was better but there is another factor coming in: HW PLD was much, much easier to play than DRK. So while DRK potential was higher, you've needed to work hard for your higher place. SB PLD, being FoTM job, still not that hard and those players who can't handle DRK in HW can handle PLD in SB. Like with the BRD in ARR / RDM in SB casual people will like easier job more even its not better.