If his boss is Shigeru, (Which I don't know. I was under the impression he ran the whole game) then I doubt Shigeru would have cared either way.
I seriously think he purposefully wanted to make it not melee, and the end result was brawl. It was different, therefor it is better/acceptable. (I Don't know what that's called in psychology but I know this concept exists cus no picks the standard color scheme for their character. People now have their own terrible color hacks actually).
Anyway, you know what I really think happened-
Sakurai was really proud of what melee had become. Watching everyone play and have fun with the game he took solid satisfaction in his work. He himself also took great joy in playing with his friends. He was the best in the game-testing team and took great joy in defeating his circle of game companions. A little while later after the release he wanted to see how he stood in the competitive arena. The first tournament went well for him. As the game designer and lead programmer, he had knowledge of L-canceling, crouch-cancel, ledge-canceling, jump out of shine, dash dancing, and a plethora of techniques which no one else understood. Taking first place in singles and teams sucked the proud game designer into the fold. Tournament after tournament the crowd slowly cough up with him, but he could still keep up with knowledge of the game's engine. Unfortunately his days were limited, and his edge would disappear as the average gamer became more adept with the new physics and techniques of the gameplay. Confident in his abilities, he hosted an international tournament inviting the best from around the world. His hopes were high and ready for any who challenged the agility and precision of his fox. The first match was close and he took it with a shine spike gimp. The second match ever more grueling as he realized that Peach's down-smash did 44% damage to him. Still, through run-away lasers and up-smashes he straggled to his third match. It was then he encountered a Marth Player who did nothing but chain-throw him on his favorite stage Final Destination. Taken by surprise he rematched the player confident if he avoided the grab he would be OK. To his demise though he learned it was lost, as there was no way to avoid the initial grab. Still holding on to the glimmer of hope in loosers bracket he vowed to make it back to finals and destroy the Marth. The next match was against the same peach who he had sent to loosers. There wasn't a single doubt in his mind but it was too late. The Peach had learned from the Marth, and Sakurai was again Chain-Throwed to death. The lost was devastating to him. Holding rematch tournaments, he tried and tried but there was no more hope. He practiced his tech-skill, but like so many he just couldn't get the hang of those wave shines. Realizing he will never reach the tech-skill like those who defeated him, he then vowed never to make a game he couldn't be the best at. During the development of brawl he had one thing on his mind. Destroying what separated him and the melee players that took his money. Fearing unexpected glitches similar to wave-dash and wave-shine he felt more was needed to cushion his chances defeat...a fail safe...This fail safe took the form of Metaknight and now here we are today.
