I don't think Jason's reputation is that big of a deal. I love Jason's skating and think he deserved to be national champion, bit he was very nearly beaten by two other skaters at Nationals, and although he placed 4th at Worlds, there is a wall between him and the skaters who medaled that Jason is unlikely to break through without a quad (or a serious business splatfest). With that in mind and with the unpredictability of men's skating, I don't think cultivating an aura of invincible National Championess is that important, especially at summer competitions.
I was worried about Jason's jumping content last season when it looked like he may have lost his triple axel to me. Now I know Kori's strategy thanks to her TSL interview, and given that Jason was one of the only US skaters to peak at the end of the season, I'm going to cross my fingers that it works for him again!
I was worried about Jason's jumping content last season when it looked like he may have lost his triple axel to me. Now I know Kori's strategy thanks to her TSL interview, and given that Jason was one of the only US skaters to peak at the end of the season, I'm going to cross my fingers that it works for him again!

