Yes, this is like a famous brand name. For example if I put the Microsoft logo on my illustration then most of the people who are not in arts will just say "Wow!" even if I will create weakest work in my life. So for that reason numbers works. And for Behance I guess follower numbers may mean a lot to the clients when they are searching for an exectuor of their idea.

For me personally it was never some barrier. If I saw someone's good profile with small amount of followers and likes I've understood that this person is just created the profile or don't know how to develop it and I am trying to help such a people usually giving some advices on that because the world should know them.