I don't see how Azir's buffs are targeted at his early game
A base attack speed increase and range increase. These are both buffs that are arguable far more influential to his late-game.
This, along with the fact that his last set of nerfs claimed to "enhance" his late-game, makes me feel like Riot has absolutely no clue what they're talking about. They're pulling catch phrases from their rear end and slapping them on random champions.