Just speaking specifically to why the hit men didn't just clap him
Why the Hitman didn't clap him, other than no one who matters dies on the show, was Tommy's fault. Tommy told at the hitters not to kill him, but to bring him back. Those dumb motherfuckers try to turn Dre' into Casper the Friendly Ghost rather than knock him out and bring him in... and they paid for it.
It's funny, Tommy reminds me of a cooler version of Shane from The Shield. Shane was a number 2 at Best, but he really wanted the top spot like Starscream.
Unfortunately, like Starscream, he is incapable of being a true number one and what happens is the true number one ends up always having to bail his sorry ass out.
And Tariq... He's just like Theo Huxtable trying to play criminal mastermind. He's lucky he isn't dead already, and ultimately it's his fault his parents are down one kid, and it's just a matter of time before they lose another one...him