Sure, but actually coming to a stop requires that there's enough room to do so. Otherwise you're doing a maximum deceleration right up to the point where the front wheel contacts the car or other object. Then the bike comes to a stop while your body still has considerable forward momenturm and may well fly over the bars and make a second impact with the object in front.

I've been in both situations: successful sudden stops with weight back and the rear wheel barely maintaining contact with the ground; but also the case where there wasn't enough room and an impact with a dog while doing maximum braking sent me flying and also crumpled the steel bike frame.