“Did the controllers keep him high in altitude and not allow enough of a descent rate due to traffic departing under him (the four-post operation of a busy TRACON)?”
If they did, the pilot should executed a go around. He’s still the final decision maker in this regard. He’s still PIC and his decisions over rule ATC. I’ve landed at SFO many times on trips from the Orient. Bay Approach always takes inbound Pacific traffic down over Moffett which gives the aircraft a very long straight in approach to 28 Left. ( probably at least 15 miles).