Towards the palm in the thumb slows or delays the release...and that is a lot of contrast in the fingers
Lay your hand palm up and see how your thumb wants to lie...a comfortable natural position is away from the palm, thus a quicker natural release angle is closer to that, not one that forces your thumb unnaturally
Finger angles are dictated by your natural finger alignment...and shouldn't conflict with thumb angles...when I competed my laterals were 1/4< & 1/8> cause that's what my fingers dictated...
Ric, in an attempt to get less squeezing and more consistency, I currently have some forward (toward the palm). It's been a long journey over 10+ years starting with 1/2 reverse. I don't have issues with tearing or blisters. I can bowl long blocks on successive days without the need or desire for Hada tape or skin patch.
But, as I got forward, I noticed I started developing occasional thumb swelling issues I hadn't experienced previously. I'm certain that part of the condition was that I started to bowl much more than I had previously. But at the same time I feel friction on the back of the thumb I didn't have with more reverse. No blisters or tearing, but certainly more contact on thumb exit.
I guess my question is, for some, is that the tradeoff that sometimes has to be accepted? I just got a few IT slugs drilled with a little reverse for some experimentation (it's been a while), but I'd like your perspective.
