Basketball Hoop Reviews

Silverback SB-54iG In-Ground Basketball System

By

Pros

Tempered glass, crank adjustment, 4″ square pole, 2 foot overhang. A good to great value for this hoop system.

Cons

Better for kids than adults.

Overall Rating

The Silverback SB-54iG features a 54″ tempered glass backboard and a 4-inch two piece square pole. It adjusts in height from 7.5 to 10 inches with the use of a crank. The overhang is 2 ft, which is the distance from the pole to the bottom of the backboard. The system is powder coated from the bottom up to prevent rust and corrosion. The installation is direct burial, and it’s backed by a 7-year warranty that includes the tempered glass. Dimensions: 71.4 x 35.9 x 6.4 inches; 152 pounds.

What To Like

  • Stable. The primary advantage of an in-ground basketball hoop is their stability. They can’t be moved, which makes the backboard that much more rigid. They also are also more durable compared to similarly priced portable models.
  • Crank/infinite adjustment. The height adjusts with the turn of a handle. This type of adjustment is the most reliable and durable. It has infinite adjustment, which allows you to choose any height between 7.5 and 10 feet.
  • Tempered glass backboard. The best feature of this hoop. Tempered glass is the best material you get for a basketball hoop. It’s heavy, rigid, and is resistance to scratches. This provides the best performance compared to the other types. At 54″, it’s big enough for a 2 car driveway.
  • 4″ square pole. Square poles are preferred over round ones because they limit vibration. The diameter is also bigger than the Spalding 68562, which is round and 3.5 inches.
  • 2 foot overhang. This provides enough space for players to play behind the backboard, and is more safe since they aren’t as likely to bump into the pole. The overhang on regulation hoops is 5 feet, but 2 is enough particular for a basket this price range.
  • Pole padding. This gives some cushion in case a player bumps into the pole.

What Not To Like

  • Backboard thickness. While tempered glass is a big plus, 3/16 isn’t very thick for a backboard. The thickest are 1/2, and these are the ones used in the NBA. I would at least like to see 3/8 for this hoop. A few customers did say that the basket does shake a bit when shooting. The brackets could have something to do with this as well.
  • Cement installation. This is a direct bury installation, meaning it goes straight into the ground. The one downside with this is that it can’t be taken out unless you tear up the concrete. This will require some work and some additional funds to get the concrete.
  • 2-piece pole. The Spalding 68562, which is more expensive, actually has three sections. Two is certainly better than three, but one-piece is still the best.

Reviews from Around the Web

Amazon.com: 5 Stars – ‘Excellent hoop for the money….’

Amazon.com: 4 Stars – ‘Very Good System, some hiccup with installation’

Amazon.com: 3 Stars – ‘Good for Youth, not for teens or adults’

Video

Summary

The one feature that stands out above all else is the tempered glass backboard. This is the best you can get in terms of durability and performance. The pole is square and a solid 4-inches, while the 2-foot overhang allows for play under the backboard. Cement installations are work, and the backboard could be a bit thicker. At the end of the day, there is a lot to like about the Silverback SB-54iG.

For the Cheapest Price, Most Customer Support and best Return Policy we Recommend Amazon.com for your basketball hoop purchase. Orders processed Through Amazon.com:

Spalding 88365 In-Ground Basketball System

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Pros

Stable, easy adjust, infinite adjustment, 4-inch square pole, backboard size, overhang, price

Cons

Acrylic backboard, 3 piece pole, cement installation, plastic anchor. I would call this a low priced, blah system. Nothing to be excited about.

Overall Rating


The Spalding 88365 features a 54-inch acrylic backboard and a U-Turn lift system that adjusts in infinite increments from 7-10 feet. Lowering and raising the hoop is done with a crank, and the handle can be removed for safety purposes. The 4-inch square pole consists of 3 sections. The overhang, which is the distance from the pole to the bottom of the backboard, is 18-inches. Included in an Arena Slam breakaway rim, which includes a wrap around for additional support. The 88365 is backed by a 5-year limited warranty. Dimensions: 60 x 35 x 10 inches.

What To Like

  • Stable. In-ground models are the most stable, which gives you the best performance. For basketball purists, this is the way to go. You won’t have to worry about the hoop moving after a shot or dunk. Because the foundation is stable, the backboard will be as well. This is the most durable type of hoop you can buy.
  • Crank adjust. This type of adjustment is arguably the best in terms of durability and precision. It’s a bit more difficult to raise and lower compared to a pneumatic system, but it has a longer life.
  • Infinite adjustment. Some hoops in a similar price range, such as the Lifetime 71799, adjust in increments of 6-inches. The 88365 however is micro-adjustable, which allows you to set the height anywhere between 7 and 10 feet. This is ideal for children who struggle to shoot on 10-foot hoops. It also makes it easier to dunk on.
  • Backboard size. At 54″, it’s just wide enough for players to shoot bank shots from various angles. The bigger the backboard, the better. The low-end is about 44″, and regulation size is 72″ wide.
  • 4-inch square pole. It’s actually thicker than the Spalding 66349 pole, yet it’s not as expensive. Just about every hoop in this price range has a 3.5 inch pole, so an extra 1/2 inch does help. Another benefit is that it’s square, which is also very uncommon for hoops near this price point. Square poles are better because they reduce vibration.
  • Overhang. An 18-inch overhang is not much, but it’s better than what you would get with entry-level portable models. What’s great about in-ground models is that they don’t have a base compared to portable hoops. This takes up less space and allows for more play below the backboard.
  • Breakaway rim. The wrap around support gives it a professional look. This rim is a little stronger than the spring models that you see on cheaper hoops. It should hold up long-term, and perform well when shooting or dunking.

What Not To Like

  • Acrylic backboard. Polycarbonate is a stronger material than acrylic, so I am not sure why this hoop doesn’t have that instead. Acrylic isn’t bad by any means, as it’s still a very strong material that will hold up against dunking. The downside is that they’re prone to scuff marks and attracting mildew.
  • 3 piece pole. The one downside with the pole design is that it breaks up into sections of 3. This is common for hoops in this price range, but they are not as sturdy as one piece poles.
  • Cement installation. One of the main benefits of a portable hoop is that no installation is required. With an in-ground model, you will have to pour cement, which adds to your overall cost and time. It does use an anchor mount, which means that you might be able to remove it if necessary. Though….
  • Plastic anchor. Customers noted that the anchor was plastic, and therefore not very sturdy. The result is that the hoop wobbles a little more than it should. Your best bet might be to directly bury the pole into the ground if you have no plans on removing it at any point.

Reviews from Around the Web

Amazon.com: 5 Stars – ‘Easy to put together, but a couple of issues….’

Amazon.com: 4 Stars – ‘Worth the price….’

Amazon.com: 3 Stars – ‘What I expected for this price….’

Amazon.com: 2 Stars – ‘Trouble with Installation….’

Summary

Don’t like it. Kind of a blah hoop with blah reviews. Buy it if you want, but there are definitely better goals available for the price.

For the Cheapest Price, Most Customer Support and best Return Policy we Recommend Amazon.com for your basketball hoop purchase. Orders processed Through Amazon.com

Spalding 66349 Portable Basketball System

By

Pros

Portable, adjustable, polycarbonate backboard, overhang, breakaway rim, affordable

Cons

Adjusts in increments, backboard size, 3 piece round pole, front cover, stability

Overall Rating

The Spalding 66349 is a entry-level portable basketball system. It features a 50″ polycarbonate backboard with a steel frame and a pro slam breakaway rim. The height adjusts in 6-inch increments from 7.5 to 10 ft. The round pole comes in 3 sections, and has a diameter of 3.5 inches. The base holds up to 34 gallons of water or sand. A front cover is included to serve as a rebounder. The 66349 is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

What To Like

  • Portable. No cement installation is required, it can be moved around whenever necessary, and is convenient. You can play on it anywhere as long as it’s on a flat surface. The two wheels make it fairly easy to move.
  • Adjustable. Ideal for children under 10 who are not yet capable of shooting on a 10 ft. hoop. It’s also good for families who want to play together. A lift system is used, which involves manually lowering or raising it. Raising it to 10 ft could require a ladder or step.
  • Polycarbonate backboard. This material is a very strong plastic. It’s actually stronger than acrylic, which you sometimes see on more expensive hoops such as the Spalding 68562. It’s not likely to break even when dunking or exposed to rough play.
  • Overhang. Overhang refers to the space between the front of the pole and the bottom of the backboard. I can’t tell for sure how much overhang there is, but the angle of the pole helps provide some space underneath so players don’t run into the base.
  • Breakaway rim. Having a breakaway rim allows for dunking, since it gives when you pull down on it. Without this give, dunking would put a lot of stress on the backboard. It also prevents the rim from breaking as well. Children (or even adults) can have some fun with this.
  • Affordable. With a price tag around $370, it can still be classified as affordable for many people.

What Not To Like

  • Adjusts in increments. Some hoops have infinite adjustment as opposed to increments. This means you could adjust it to any height between 7.5 and 10 feet. However, this hoop adjusts in 6-inch increments, limiting the number of heights you can change it to.
  • Backboard size. 50″ is a bit small, and for another $50 you could buy 4 more inches with the Lifetime 71524. To put into perspective, 72″ width is regulation size. The closer you can get to this number, the better the performance. 50″ is fine for a 1-car driveway, but relatively speaking it’s small for a basketball hoop.
  • 3-piece 3.5″ round pole. A single section, square pole is ideal because it limits vibration. This one has neither. It’s round, and comes in 3 pieces. Naturally, it’s not going to perform as well as a single pole. The 3.5 inches is relatively small, which doesn’t give the backboard as much sturdiness compared to larger poles.
  • Front cover. This refers to the plastic cover that you see attached from the base to the pole. I don’t care for this simply because the ball bounces away if it strikes the cover at an angle.

One reviewer said that his cracked w/in 3 weeks. Mine shattered in only 2 weeks. Bottom line here: the plastic isn’t strong enough to handle normal use so if you get this model, PLAN on it breaking soon and then either not having it or making your own.
– B. Walker

  • Stability. A portable hoop with a base naturally isn’t going to be as stable as an in-ground model, or a more expensive portable one. Filling it with sand does help, but the backboard won’t be as rigid. A few customers noted that the hoop moves a little while shooting off the backboard.

Summary

The Spalding 66349 is pretty typical of a basketball hoop in this price range. It has a smaller, but strong backboard, a breakaway rim for dunking, and adjustability for children.

The Spalding 66349 is a entry-level portable basketball system. There are alot of mixed reviews on this puppy. First of all, installation is more difficult than you think. It generally comes with a DVD of instructions on assembly, but it will still take many hours to get this set up. Next, it is not as sturdy as other Spalding brands. It has a tendency to vibrate and does not feel like a really well built hoop. Personally, I think this is actually a very good alternative to an expensive system. It is a good portable basketball hoop system for children. Don’t love it, but I would definitely buy it if it fit my family.

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