No, it was real. No hype of romanticization. Here's an example of what we mean. Kevin McHale clotheslines Kurt Rambis in the 1984 Finals. Today this would be a Flagrant 2 foul with an automatic ejaculation and 1 game suspension without pay. You know what the actual call was on this play? This was a simple common foul. Two free throws and the game moved on. Nothing else.
Back then, there was a "no layup" rule that was common from the NBA all the way to HS ball. Teams were coached to never give up a layup under any circumstances and if you didn't you were considered a pvssy by your teammates, coaches and opponents. That's why the game was so physical and why I will always be convinced that Michael Jordan was the greatest of all time. Not even close. He had guys beating up on him night in and night out and he still beat their sorry asses. You remember the "Jordan Rules"? Every team was coached to bump him, hold him, grab him, elbow him, knee him, whatever it took to try and disrupt his game. It never worked. The guy just played and beat you. No whining to the refs, the media or anyone else. He just beat you and went home. Unlike all the bitches today like Lebron who believe they should have a different set of rules just for them.