The coach states that critics have criticized his team or team players for behaving unprofessionally. The coach supports his statement by saying that "if one looks at the professionals in this sport, one will find that they are even more effusive". And concludes that because for this reason critics should leave the team alone and let the players enjoy the game.
Clearly, the coach has made an Assumption
He assumes that because professionals in this sport are effusive, his team players who play the same sport are also effusive.
Or in simpler terms because professionals in this sport play professionally, his team players also have played professionally.
(A) misleadingly equates enthusiasm with unethical play
Nothing about the ethics is mentioned. ELIMINATE A
(B) misinterprets the critics’ claim that the team is unprofessional
Coach is not just arguing against critics' claims not misinterpreting the claims. ELIMINATE B
(C) too quickly generalizes from the sport at one level to the sport at a different level
Nothing about the levels is mentioned. ELIMINATE C
(D) shifts the blame for the team’s behavior to professional players
Coach is not playing the blame game by shifting the blame to professional players. ELIMINATE D
(E) takes everyone on the team to have performed the actions of a few.
This answer choice is similar to the assumption made by the coach. He assumes that his team players have behaved in the same way professionals in this sport behave. CORRECT ANSWER
IMO E is the correct answer.