Why waste your time defending Sakura? Whether or not she is an important character and whether she proves it or not is up to Kishi's hands. The more you try to defend her the more hate you will face. Because people can't see beyond their noses and their own pathetic standards. Don't lose your head. Everything wil happen in due time, let the Manga go where it is supposed to go... Don't speed your thougts up and especially don't waste your time with haters. Character bashing is disgusting and sickening, alright... But just deal with it. The wisest speak the least and are slow to fire up, you know?
And I say that even though I dislike Sakura.