A few thoughts:

The Tol Barad honor was insane. Everyone who abused the bridge now has a full set of honor gear and most people, if they were smart, have the Conquest weapon(s) at this point. That means you're like a month behind as far as gear goes. Maybe more. Don't feel bad if you're having a hard time initially--It's like that for every team.

BE is best for Horde and Human for Alliance--No point in comparing the two versus each other

My Paladin is completely geared at this point with some serious reforging and his throughput is insane. Overall I wish I had a geared Priest and a geared Shaman and a geared Druid to choose from but... shrug. I'm not sure if you can definitively say that one healer is better than another. Paladins have the best survivability and are equal if not the best for throughput with healing but can't help you much with Ring of Frost or Ice Block or Hand of Protection or Bubble. Priests are 10x easier to focus and shut down than the Paladin but your first non-Hunter target is a guaranteed kill. /shrug

I keep meaning to sit down and do another manifesto but I'm working 12 hour shifts 2 on/2 off during the holiday period and I'm exhausted. It's on my to do list