I think some of the React vs Backbone debate misses how web projects often evolve in unpredictable ways. Most 'tiny' apps pick up complexity as features are added. So it's useful to build on a platform that scales smoothly and encourages best practices and grows with you.

React has become that platform that it is because teams can reliably ship, maintain the codebase and onboard new folks. Preference for 'right tool for the job' is good but real life means sticking to tools that won't bite you a year later.