Well yes, since the MJ era where traveling, palming and other violations were tossed into the trash heap of time. And the 3-point basket, which killed
passing to work the ball inside. Now we have a game with 3 shooters and two slugs, who pile up assist stats.
The NBA today is a version of a Barnum & Bailey circus. If Jordan, James, Bryant et al ever brought the ball in sans the ignored steps and palming against the likes of a Thurmond, Chamberlain, Russell, Kaufmann, Unseld, Cowens etc., they would miss half the season with a busted skull.