Well that's really the sad part of today's NBA. I too grew up watching the 80's to 90's Bird, Magic, Isiah and the Bad Boys, Jordan and the Bulls, Miami, Knicks etc. That was a Man's Game back then. Nowadays with the extensive use of different camera angles and slow mo replays one would tend to notice that refs whistle at the slightest chance of contact thereby dictating the "physicality" aspect of the game. Experts say that the change occurred after the Malice at the Palace brawl wherein the officials let the players play very physical and it obviously got out hand.
How can one explain James Harden and Durant getting 20+ Free throws on some nights? That's the product of the new NBA.