What's happening is that these athletes, some of the very best in the world are so good that it's almost impossible to stop them. Like watching a video game. People criticize the defense but these players are near impossible to stop. That's taken the joy out of the game for most all except those that have a rooting interest.
It’s a combination of things. More athletic? Sure. But if the rules were called that athleticism would be neutralized.
ESPN, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram all have destroyed new generations of players who only play looking for a highlight.
A major issue I have that generally goes unnoticed is that the average size of the players continues to get bigger and bigger. Yet the court stays the same size. A longer and wider court would allow more transition and movement without the ball which is how the game was designed to be played. And once you do enlarge the court you could move the 3 point line farther back which is obviously needed.