I would not find it okay if Mao were doing double axel instead of a 3lutz or 3sal. But I think she is replacing what might normally be a 3lutz or 3sal with 3axel.
Sigh. Mao IS doing a double axel instead of a 3lutz or 3sal, because according to the rules she can do a 3axel and a 3lutz. I agree that as long as Mao does a 3axel than she can get away without a 3lutz, but its still her making a tradeoff. She's not gaining as much points as she would because the 3axel is instead covering a technical deficancy. I ' not sure why this isn't hard for people to understand...And 3sal and 3lutz are two completely different jumps too with different takeoffs (etc). And once again its one thing to not have an easier triple like a 3sal or a 3loop. Its another thing not to have a 3lutz.
Its a lot easier to master one hard jump or one trick. Even if that hard jump or trick is really difficult. Than it is to master multiple tricks. Mao's ability to do a 3axel is amazing. But the rest of her jumps besides her 3loop, actually need some work. There are seven jumping passes for a reason.