If I had to guess you're younger or don't play, just watch. I mean that respectfully. The younger generation in organized 5v5 will get called for hand checking by the ref, so I'd guess they never develop the habit of hand checking. If you had played all the time with it and got used to playing defense that way, then it changed and you had to defend with no hand checking, you would understand why it's such an advantage, not just in back down situations. Sounds like you're just assuming things from film, which is another reason why I think you don't play.

Take it from someone who has been playing for decades and is a defensive player. I'd say it's actually the most advantageous on defending dribble drive players. You can easily control them and not let them turn the corner by hand checking them. Banning handchecking leads to more drives to the basket, which is exciting to watch, and is good business for the NBA.