UAL232 would have turned out better, but or timing. A rudimentary form of pitch and roll control had been found by using thrust, and a series of descending, turning oscillations performed. that they were able to line up and make the field was a miracle all by itself. They attempted to time the oscillation with the touchdown, and it didn't quite turn out right.
There's nothing they could have done to make that situation better. If you consider all the things that came together in that one place at that one time, it's a beyond-belief miracle. Changing ambulance shifts, changing law enforcement shifts, a medical convention in town, a dental convention across the street...double shift and all kinds of support by *coincidence* happened to be right there, right then.
There's no other way that could have turned out, and no other place it could have happened. A lot of people and a lot of support was brought together and waiting when it happened. Same goes for the crew. All things in their time...but everyone there was in the exact place and time they were supposed to be. Captain Haynes and crew did a miraculous job, given the circumstances, as did every other soul involved.
As for water landings...water isn't simply a nice soft place to land. Judging height above water can be difficult. Water acts hydraulically in many cases to tear aircraft apart. Survival afterward, particularly if the aircraft doesn't remain intact, can be brief, and survival in cold water compounds issues tremendously...as it does relief and rescue efforts.
The crew did a wonderful job in the US Airways mishap, but to suggest that water is usually the best choice would be a very misplaced suggestion indeed. In this particular case, the crew made rapid, good decisions, and executed them very, very well. However, don't use this case to paint others with a broad, one-color brush.