All about physicality in the NBA

This quote from the Hawks center Collins ties in with what I've read elsewhere, but is worth repeating here:

"Just being in better shape," Collins said, "but also coach [Larry] Drew starting me against him. The refs, if you start off the game being physical, it's a difference, than if you come into the game and there's a change in the way that Dwight's being guarded."

Essentially, being physical pays off and allows a team to continue to be physical the entire game.