Basketball Hoop Reviews

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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Lifetime 71799 In-Ground Basketball System

By

Pros

Sturdy, small footprint, adjustable, overhang, price

Cons

A Portable type Basketball hoop that is actually inground, backboard size and thickness, pole design, size, and shape, cement installation. Problems with installation. Maybe a little wobbly.

Overall Rating


The Lifetime 71799 is an entry-level model that features a 50 inch backboard that can be adjusted from 7.5 to 10 feet in 6 inch increments. The rim has double compression springs to allow for dunking. The pole comes in 3 sections with a diameter of 3.5 inches. The backboard is made out of Makrolon, which is a strong form of polycarbonate. A UV coating has been applied in order to prevent yellowing. The hoop adjusts with the use of a handle. The 71799 is backed by a 5-year warranty. Dimensions: 54 x 34 x 6 inches ; 88 pounds.

What To Like

  • Sturdy. The main benefit of installing an in-ground basketball hoop is stability. Basketball enthusiasts love this, as not only does it look more professional, but you don’t have to worry about it moving during play. The hoop in general will be more rigid and durable compared to similar portable models.
  • Small footprint. While portable models in this price range are small as well, the difference is that they have a base that takes up more space. Of course, an in-ground model doesn’t have this.
  • Adjustable. With height adjustment down to 7.5 feet, children can benefit from shooting on a lower hoop. They can also have fun dunking if they are old enough. The adjustment is very easy, it’s simply a matter of grabbing the handle and moving it up or down.
  • Overhang. Because it has no base, this model allows for play underneath the hoop. You also don’t have to worry as much about bumping into the pole. In general, it allows for more realistic play.
  • Polycarbonate backboard. This material is pretty strong, and should hold up long-term. I wouldn’t recommend adults dunking and hanging on the rim though.
  • Price. For just under $375, the Lifetime 71799 is priced very affordable.

What Not To Like

  • Not portable. The downside with an in-ground model is that it can’t be moved around like a portable model could. You can’t remove it unless you dig up the concrete.
  • Backboard size & thickness. While 50″ is respectable, it’s still small for a backboard. The bigger the backboard, the better. 54″ is the minimum I look for. 50″ is too small for a 2-car driveway. The backboard is also thin and therefore not as rigid.
  • Pole design, size, and shape. This pole comes in sections of 3, which is fine for casual players. But it’s not going to be as strong as one pole. The square poles are better because they are more stable. The size is 3.5 inches, which once again makes it less rigid.
  • Adjustable in increments. Some of the more expensive models allow for infinite adjustment. This means that you can make micro-adjustments, while this model adjusts every 6 inches only.
  • Cement installation. The pole will have to be directly cemented into the ground. This will require some work on your end.

Reviews from Around the Web

Amazon.com: (13) 5 Stars – ‘Great for the Price…’

Amazon.com: (10) 4 Stars – ‘The directions could have been a little more clear…’

Amazon.com: (6) 3 Stars – ‘It does seem to wobble a bit…’

Summary

The Lifetime 71799 is designed primarily for children and casual play. The backboard is a bit small, and it’s not very rigid. Plus, you will have to go through the trouble of pouring cement. However, being cemented in-ground will make it more sturdy and allow for more realistic play. It’s also adjustable and it’s very affordable for most families.  To us this is more of a portable hoop quality and is one of our lower rated inground hoops.

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

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