I’m annoyed that people DID actually offer up points about why Chabad is separate from other chassidim other than just Levush, and yet all the counter arguments just focused on that one point to make it seem like an invalid argument.
Also, Chabad received harsh opposition from a lot of the other early Chassidim like Avraham of Kalisk. So, the assertion that NO chassidim would ever exist were it not for the Alter Rebbe (an assertion I’ve heard many times from Lubavitchers) is demonstrative of the characteristic lack of any sense of proportion.
I think the OP has his answer. Although, now that I’m apparently categorized as a follower of “Litvish Chassidus,” I guess anything goes; it’s open season on labeling people as Chassidim.