Running =/= Cycling, though.
Runners have a MUCH easier time coming into cycling than cyclists getting into running.
We don’t have to construct plans like a pyramid anymore – we can build skyscrapers!! 
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Depending on time constraints I’d usually recommend some intensity, then one long ride a week, then easy riding in between.
You don’t need tons of easy riding to ge a solid base. One longer ride a week is solid, and sweet spot/threshold/VO2 all build the aerobic system.
I think the tides have turned on traditional base for the most part. 
As for running, it’s the same as cycling, really. Yes, the absolute tip of the spear will often (not always) be running/riding high-volume, but that’s because they are outliers to begin with. We are not the same.
I’m seeing more and more elite runners running less mileage than before with better success. They’re also cross-training too.
The same goes for cyclists. With each new year, I’m seeing and hearing about reductions in volume and increases in quality that are resulting in faster, happier, and healthier riders.
Each of us is unique, but most of us need a balance of intensity and recovery to progress regardless of overall training volume.
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I’m with you @eddie. I was looking at it from a lens of someone coming off a six month injury. Don’t know what the injury was… but I had two pretty big ones back in the day (one was a stress fracture & the other torn plantar). Despite lots of pool running and stationary bike (the old fan driven ones, not these cool smart trainers we got today) I started with 1 mile easy on grass every other day and built from there. It was miserable and intensity was not possible and would add risk for further injury. But that’s for running… on the bike I can see how it might be different but I’d still ease into it with caution.
But as for healthy athletes building up base training I’m with you. And looking back at training logs from the 90s we did hills, fartlek, tempo/threshold & long runs in the summer base so even back then there wasn’t an “endurance only” base period outside of the first week or two back from a season break. But even those had strides.
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