The idea that today's NBA players are far more athletic than those from the 90s is a common narrative, but the data doesn't fully support this claim. NBA Combine results from 2000 to 2019 show little improvement in key athletic metrics like speed, vertical leap, and agility. Instead, rule changes, such as banning hand-checking and legalizing zone defenses, have had a greater impact on the pace and style of the game. These changes created the perception of a faster, more athletic league, even though players' raw physical capabilities have not drastically changed.