Except they actually can't, which is why a simple pump and drive can fake out a good defender closing out if the shooter is enough of a threat. So much of basketball is almost completely about using an opponent's momentum against themselves.
That said, I think the dev team knows they need to keep things responsive-- if only in the actual animation where the player relays the intent and awareness of your action, even if he needs a plant or deceleration step before actually moving in the direction you move your stick. There may be realistic momentum and hesitation due to weight shifts, but the sluggish sliding might be largely reduced.