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.
  • Price. At just over $420 on Amazon, I think this hoop is a bargain.

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

Lifetime 71799 In-Ground Basketball System

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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 $250, 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

Buying A Basketball Hoop: What To Look For

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The first step when deciding which basketball hoop to purchase is to determine what requirements you have. For example, where is it going to be installed? Do you have enough space for an inground model? How often will it be used? Are serious games going to be played, or will the hoop mainly be used for shooting around? Also, who will be using it? If you reside in a housing community, check to see what type of basketball hoop is allowed. A lot of times, only portable ones are allowed.

When you buy a basketball hoop, here are the three types to choose from:

3 Types of Basketball Hoops

Inground Systems

An inground hoop is pretty self-explanatory: the pole is buried into the ground using cement, either directly or it’s placed into a mounted anchor. Directing burying the pole makes it completely permanent, while using an anchor does allow for it to be removed. While the installation is work, this type is the most stable and durable. You can always hire a contractor to help or do the job for you. What’s nice about these hoops is that they have an overhang (distance from front of the pole to front of the backboard). This allows for play under the hoop, and no other type allows for this. If serious games are going to be played, then a premium inground hoop is the best choice; especially if there is going to be dunking. The price range for these models is around $800 into the thousands. This is also a good option if you are looking for a long-term solution. For a basketball enthusiast, there is no better option.

Mounted Systems

This type involves a backboard being mounted on a garage or the side of a house. This is also a more stable option. It’s ideal if the driveway lacks space for a pole. It’s also a good choice if you mainly plan on just shooting around, and only want something basic. They can be taken down and re-installed, which is nice if you don’t want it up forever. The only problem is that unless the hoop is extended out a few feet, it could be inconvenient when playing games.

Portable Systems

Portable basketball hoops include a base, pole, backboard, rim, and a adjustable bracket. The height is typically adjustable, and the base has wheels so it can be moved. For this reason, they are quite popular. No real installation is required, as all you really have to do is fill the base with sand or water so it’s stable. The downside is that they are not as rigid as the other options. The best portable units also fold up so they can be moved easier. This is the ideal choice if you want nothing to do with installation and want to move the hoop around. What you lose however is the realism that comes with an inground hoop.

Additional Considerations

Adjustability

Do you need an adjustable hoop? If people of various sizes and skills are going to be using it, then it should be considered. It’s really only necessary if children around 10 and under are going to use it, or you are an adult who wants to dunk. The adjustment is usually done with a broomstick or by hand, so this won’t be difficult. You will pay more for this feature, so keep that in mind.

Backboard

You will have to decide the size and material you want the backboard to be. Some of the most common materials include acrylic, tempered glass, graphite, and fiberglass. The best is tempered glass, as it’s used in the NCAA and NBA. Acrylic is fine, but it’s not as heavy and will begin to show signs of wear and tear over time. If you can get tempered glass, it’s a no brainer. The regulation size backboard is 72 inches across, 42 inches high, and 1/2 inch thick. The rule of thumb is to get the biggest and thickest backboard you can afford, as it will provide the most playing surface.

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