This feature also works for selecting a particular defensive player. The programmers seems to incorporate this feature very nicely, although it tends toward overuse. The players in Live 99 seem to use it on every dunk, but as it doesn't affect the outcome of the play, it's not a big deal. Users can throw the ball baseball style down the court after the opposing team scores and usually get an easy dunk. This can be done on any of the difficulty settings.
Players can still blow right past defenders using the turbo button.
I almost got a dunk or layout every time I tried going to the hoop on the All-Star setting. I had to try out the Superstar difficulty. I was still able to blow right past the computer's defenders, just not as easily as on the All-Star setting. The players in Live 99 seemed to be protected by some kind of shield. I was able to push the opposing player out of bounds without the two players actually coming into contact.