Late clock start - again

[KCRef]

In a previous thread, it was concluded that the referee should keep the time on the clock in their head if the scorer did not start the clock properly. For example, 4 seconds on the clock on the in bounds. A couple of seconds go by, and the ref yells to start the clock, but is already counting down in his head. After the clock finally starts late, a player looks at the clock to see 3 seconds are remaining, so instead of shooting, he makes one more pass in order to get a better shot. Then the ref blows the whistle to end the quarter with 2 seconds left on the clock. Should the players not rely on the clock in situations like this?