this may be just my opinion but i will do most of my defoliation and lolly pop the bottom 50 percent of the plant before flip to flower and then for the first few weeks us stretch pick some of the leave off that are covering prime bud sites. you know a leaf here and there. After week 3 of flower I only maintain my canopy and remove dead or dying leaves/
I know what you mean as the plant gets larger a lot of leaves get crushed and cramped but i guess as long it doesn't create any mold or problems it should be ok i don't want to cut it now.