Basketball is mental warfare. I have always believed that. Those of use that grew up on the playground and became gym rats. have learned how to grab jerseys, push off, chicken wing, use the hips, body check, etc. Throwing elbows comes naturally. Then we had to unlearn all of that stuff to play with referees. People that have made a life out of basketball are very good at detecting plays that are over the line. They know the difference between hard play and dirty play.
Larry Bird was a master of the playground and street ball. Anyone messed with him, he got even when the refs could not see it. He did not get mad. He mostly did not fight. He got even. That is the unofficial way the game is actually played. Holmes and Giles.