Basketball Hoop Reviews

Silverback SB-60 In-Ground Basketball System

By

Pros

60″ Tempered glass backboard, 4-inch square pole, 2.5 foot overhang, anchor mount installation. A Poor man’s alternative to a Professional Basketball Hoop. Probably the Highest quality, low cost Hoop System available.

Cons

2-section pole, no lifetime warranty. That’s about it.  This is a 5 Star – Complete basketball hoop system.  Recommended by me as a top basketball hoop for under $1000.

Overall Rating

433_16_stars


Silverback is a division of Goalrilla, who produces one of the best lines of in-ground basketball hoops on the market. The SB-60 features a 60″ tempered glass backboard with aluminum trim. The two-section square pole is 4 – inches thick, and the backboard extends 2.5 feet out from the pole. It adjusts infinitely from 7.5 to 10 feet with the use of a steel actuator. It’s installed using an anchor bolt system. The SB-60 is backed by a 7 year warranty.

What To Like

  • 60″ tempered glass backboard. This size is ideal for most residences because it’s not too big for a driveway, yet is one step from being regulation size (72″). Simply put, tempered glass is the best of the best. It’s 5/16″ thick, which is enough to provide plenty of rigidity.
  • Handle assist mechanism. It uses a motor to assist with raising and lowering the hoop. Most are completely manual or gas assisted. This if the first hoop I have seen with a motor.
  • Pro-style breakaway rim. I don’t know any specifics about the rim, but it has a pro-style look to it. It’s not exactly the same as what’s used in the NBA, but it’s close. It’s heavy-duty and is built to last.
  • 4-inch square pole. Square poles are more sturdy than round ones, and 4-inches is solid. The thicker the pole, the less vibration a hoop has.
  • 2.5 foot overhang. This provides ample space for play underneath the basket. Plus, it’s safer because players are less likely to run into the pole. In general, this space just allows for more serious play.
  • Pole padding. Many premium hoops don’t come with a pad, they make you buy one separately. The SB-60 comes with one, and this just makes it that much more safe for the players.
  • Anchor-mount installation. This is the best installation for in-ground hoops because it can be removed easily.

What Not To Like

  • 2-section pole. It’s thick enough, but you would like to see a one-piece pole instead. Most hoops in this price range have one, so that is a bit of a disappointment. The two-piece pole isn’t as sturdy, plus you’ll have to put put them together during the assembly.
  • 7-year warranty. Not bad, but a lifetime warranty is standard for hoops in the $1000 range.
  • Somewhat Difficult assembly. According to reviews, you will need at least 3 adults to put up the heavy backboard.

Reviews from Around the Web

Amazon.com: 5 Stars – ‘You Cannot Hang on to this hoop, it was not made for that’ – ‘Very Sturdy for the Price’

Video

Summary

When I review a basketball hoop, I am always looking for flaws. It’s really hard to find any glaring weaknesses with the SB-60. Even though the 2-section pole isn’t ideal, it’s still pretty solid. After doing some research, I found that that this is probably the best buy for in-ground hoops below $1000. If that is your budget, then the SB-60 is a great choice. If you can go a little higher, I would probably recommend the Mammoth 98862 instead.

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

Lifetime 90014 Competition In Ground Basketball System

By

Pros

Stability, pneumatic lift mechanism, tempered glass backboard, 4-inch square pole, 27″ overhang

Cons

Thin backboard, direct burial installation

Overall Rating

 

The 90014 Competition is one of the top in-ground basketball systems sold by Lifetime. It’s suited for a 1-2 car driveway playing area. It features a 54″ tempered glass backboard, a 4-inch square pole, and a 27-inch offset. The height adjusts from 7.5 to 10 feet in infinite increments with the use of the Power Lift® pneumatic mechanism. The Slam-it Ultra rim is made of solid steel and has a wrap-around brace. The The 90014 is backed by a 5 year limited warranty. Dimensions: 58 x 36.5 x 7 inches; 125 pounds.

What To Like

  • Stability. In-ground hoops are best for stability. The tempered glass backboard adds to this because it’s a heavier material compared to polycarbonate and acrylic. The square 4-inch pole helps reduce vibration.
  • Infinite adjustment. You can raise or lower it to any height between 7.5 and 10 feet. Some mid-level hoops only adjust in increments of 6-inches.
  • Power Lift® pneumatic mechanism. This is a gas assisted adjustment mechanism that makes it easier to lift and lower the hoop. You grab the handle and simply raise or lower it depending on what height you want. The downside is that it may start leaking gas a few years down the road, which can affect precision.
  • Tempered glass backboard. Simply put, tempered glass is the best of the best. It’s used at the college and pro level. It’s heavier, more rigid, and durable compared to other materials. A huge plus.
  • 4-inch thick square pole. Less expensive hoops typically have round poles that are between 3-3.5 inches thick. Certainly, this is an upgrade. The square shape is superior as far as sturdiness is concerned.
  • Overhang. The thicker pole leads to a greater backboard offset, which is the distance it extends out from the pole. A 27″ offset is very impressive for a hoop in this price range. To put into perspective, the Mammoth 98856 is $200 more and has the same overhang. The benefit is more playing space under the basket so players are less likely to bump into the pole.

What Not To Like

  • Thin backboard. 1/5-inches thick is below average for tempered glass, as most premium hoops have a 3/8 backboard. But, they also happen to be more expensive.
  • Direct burial installation. While in-grounds do provide more stability than portable hoops, this type of installation does require time and effort. Plus, it can’t be removed. You can purchase a Lifetime ground sleeve for 4-inch square poles. The pole slides into the sleeve so it can still be removed if necessary. However, it’s still inferior to the anchor mount installation.

Summary

What’s most appealing about the the Lifetime 90014 Competition system is the tempered glass backboard. It’s truly the best for overall performance. You won’t find too many other hoops in this price range with tempered glass. The thick pole and 27″ offset are also positives. The backboard is a bit thin, so I would be careful about hanging on the rim and being rough with it. The installation will also require time and effort. Overall, it’s well worth the price.

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:

Recent Reviews & Articles

About This Site

Our goal is to provide honest opinions and reviews of basketball goals and hoops. We hope you find them helpful.

We do our best to keep all information as accurate and current as possible.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking Basketballhoopreview.net content to Amazon properties.