It's still being called now (unsportsmanlike).
When I play against a bigger guy and more skilled player, the only recourse is to foul with no help defense. That's why you have penalties for having too many fouls. I guess it's a cultural difference.
Poor strategy worked when the pistons beat LA.Shaq was so dominant that Hack a Shaq defense was created and employed by many teams.
I would never call basketball a non-contact sport. Even netball has that![]()