The whole argument here is based on the questionable assumption that coaches and players are actually trying to make decisions that maximize the team's score. A

The whole argument here is based on the questionable assumption that coaches and players are actually trying to make decisions that maximize the team's score. An individual might do something that's "perceived to be less risky" because if it doesn't work, he can't be blamed for taking too big a risk. I don't know a lot about sports, but this is clearly the case in corporate environments where the incentives of the individuals deviate from the good of the corporation.