I can understand why they'd go for it. Let's be honest, the team event is kind of a throw away for him. The prize is the individual OGM. If he was going to try it, I'd do it in the team event. If he lands it, he goes in the record books and Malinin is all about the glory. If he doesn't, no big deal to him as the US will still medal. You don't get endorsements for the team event medals. You do for the individual event. This lets him and his parents evaluate his success during competition which isn't the same as practice. If it works, he can do it in the individual SP and rack up an insurmountable lead over the rest of the field. If it doesn't, he can decide if it's worth it in the SP or not. I'd do it if I were him. They are risk takers to be sure, but they are strategic about the risks. He's said the layout will depend on how he feels.