1) Howard Philips certainly lobbied against SMB2japan, but ultimately, it was Mr. Arakawa's decision.
2) so what?
3) The main reason they were able to easily adapt it, was because Miyamoto continuously encouraged them to make it more "mario-like" throughout its development. (doki doki was originally going to be vertical only)
4) When the conversation is: "which is the best?"... (the implication being that the its a battle between first a second place between SMB3 and SMW)... its totally fair to bring up SMB2, if you think its the best. Doki Doki (1987) started its development a full year after SMB3 (1986) and that later start date gave it the edge in some graphical and technical areas. Especially the sprites: