One thing no one has really touched on before I get to my points on uptempos (Ive really focused on changing tempo game to game the last 2-3 months with all my teams and have noticed a couple of things):
1) I think people aren't being fair when not differentiating between transition scoring and regular offense set. From everything I've read, seen in PbPs and discussed with CS in the past the only time tempo really matters in when your in the offensive base offense. No matter what tempo you run, there are still going to be times when your team gets a basket in transition. So the example on page one or two where the team grabs the rebound and puts up a shot in 5-seconds is not nec. the tempo setting so much as it is transition scoring. I've run slowdown and seen the same result.
As to uptempo:
2) I completely agree that the tempo you run should impact the other teams stamina more than your own as defense is what uses more energy. I personally think a slowdown should tire the other team more than the other sets as they are playing defense longer. Uptempo, despite the added possessions may not ulimately lead to the other team defending more total minutes and should therefore have the most limited impact; However, that is no how HD works;
3) Under the current system I tend to agree with Lost, Mully and Z who think that running uptempo can be a valuable weapon. I'll try not to repeat what they've already said. First, I opperate under the premise that when I run uptempo, my team will shoot a lower %, specifically from 3 point range. Therefore, if I have a team which I have set to shoot a lot of 3PAs and I have a clear rebounding edge, I like the uptempo. It tends to lead to the lower % as others have suggested but the difference in 2nd chance points and the loss of FG% makes is worth the dropoff. The other big factors as Z and Lost have said is a) you force the other team into more possessions, which leads to more turnovers b) Takes away the variance of losing to lesser teams...specifically when playing against a slowdown.
4) Quick points. I almost never run uptempo against a zone because I believe shooting quickly against a zone plays into the defenses hands. I almost never run slowdown v. a good man2man team for the same reason. I try not to run uptempo on the road against a team as talented as mine OR even v. run a little less talented on the road as I feel the drop off in FG% combined with the disadvantage of the other teams HCA cancels any gained benefit.
I'm sure there is probably alot I've out but tempo is something I put more time into in gameplanning than many other factors as I think the decision of which to play can be the difference between winning and losing.