No kidding. I don't put my phone in my pocket, though. It's either sitting next to me at work / class / home, or it's in my holster. Since July 15, I have not "accidentally" hit the unlock button even once. So I have no need for a lock screen; it's just one more unnecessary motion I have to do to access my phone.
That being said, they had to actively decide to remove the ability to NOT have a lock screen, meaning they did it for a reason. That reason, more likely than not, is to avoid complaints from people who accidentally unlock their phones. Again, more idiot-proofing.