It would be interesting if Lucas never did any sequels to Star Wars and how Lucas's career and how Star Wars would be perceived today.

I think Lucas would have probably be looked more favorably because he would have had a more diverse career as a director/producer. I think what would have defined Lucas's career is if he started directing more serious/adult-type movies like Spielberg did with Schindlers List & Saving Private Ryan. Spielberg could direct the summer blockbuster, but proved later on he could direct the Best Oscar movie too. In the end, Lucas probably would have been ranked up there with Brian DePalma as a dynamite director from the 70's/80's, but lost the touch a bit into the 90's.

As for Star Wars ending in 1977, this board wouldn't exist, and Star Wars would have a different type of fanbase, more along the lines of Wizard of Oz and Jaws fans. More mainstream, more accepting to the general public, beloved by all age groups, but you wouldn't hear any grumbles of the movie being too slow, effects being dated, or the lightsaber fight being dull, cause essentially those people would have never liked it from day one, and wouldn't need to voice their opinion because they enjoy mindless CGI/Action that the PT gives them.