"Balance" gets abused a lot, as a term. It means multiple things, and it results in people talking past each other.

Intra-party balance -- that is, everyone in the party being approximately equally capable -- is important for most tables because most people resent getting clowned on by their so-called allies.

Creature/encounter balance is not about forcing the fights players get into to be fair, but about having a reliable way of telling how hard the fight will be. That knowledge is not an obligation to make the fights fair.

Yes you can. I've just made the experience that people enjoy balanced games more than unbalanced ones.