Maslow PCBs

https://www.rugged-circuits.com/the-motor-driver-myth/
Above article and the spec sheet below

state the L298 chips have thermal protection. Article also states max amperage is more like 1.59amps vs 2amps.
Why then do we have people that have run the chips so hot they they fall of the board?

Would the through hole version of this chip with a bolt on heat sink provide better thermal protection? Would the through hole version require any changes to the 1.26 firmware?
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