Pros

Adjustable, portable, backboard strength, durability, no installation, price, perfect for children

Cons

Backboard size, no overhang, unstable, difficult assembly, not built for competitive or intense play.

Overall Rating

The Lifetime 1221 Pro Court Basketball System is portable and height adjustable. The backboard is 44 inches, and the height is adjustable from 7.5 to 10 feet in increments of 6-inches. The base can be filled with 27 gallons of water or sand. Attached are wheels so it can be rolled to another location. The rim is a classic style made out of steel. If you want a hoop with a breakaway rim in a similar price range, the Lifetime Complete is an option. The shape of the backboard is rectangle, it’s made out of high-density polyethylene, and it’s UV-protected. It comes with a 3-piece, powder coated steel pole. Included is a 5-year warranty.

What To Like

• Portable. It does have wheels for transportation, which is nice so you don’t have to empty the base each time you want to move it.
• Adjustable. The hoop adjusts in 6 inch increments from 7.5 to 10 feet, which is pretty standard. This is ideal if people of various heights and skills will be playing on it. It’s adjusted using a telescoping mechanism, so it’s fairly easy to adjust. However, you have to tip it over to adjust it. Not a big deal however.
• Backboard Strength. While far from the strongest backboard material you will find, it’s almost unbreakable and is protected from fading overtime. Long-term, it should be able to hold up well. I would not recommend dunking on this however. It’s not ideal for performance however, as the ball won’t bounce much off of it.
• No Installation. One of the upsides with a portable system is that you don’t have to install it into the ground. Not only is it less expensive, but saves a lot of time and work also. If you don’t want to install a hoop, then this is a good option.
• Price. For $100, you are getting a solid basketball hoop manufactured by a good brand that is suited for for small children and amateur players.

What Not To Like

• Backboard Size. The bigger the backboard is, the better, particularly for beginners and children. The backboard is 44 inches, which is on the small end. You would like to see a bigger backboard. The rim is made out of steel, and is not a breakaway, meaning that it doesn’t give when dunking on it.
• No Overhang. Unfortunately, there is no overhang (distance from pole to backboard). This doesn’t allow for play under the basket, and doesn’t make it as safe either. Also, if the ball goes directly through the basket, it could hit the pole and bounce away. You might be doing some running as a result, though this isn’t necessarily a bad thing if children are playing.
• Unstable. Portable systems are naturally a little more unstable than an inground version. Filling it with sand will provide more stability than water. Difficult Assembly Customers noted that it took two people to complete, and was a bit harder than anticipated. The lower part was easy, but install the backboard and rim on the pole seemed to be a chore. The consensus is that it will take a few hours to assemble.
• Pole. The best poles are square and made out of one piece, which reduces vibration. This one is made out of 3 pieces of steel. However, for casual use this is ultimately ok, but it should not be dunked on. And is should be strong enough to last long-term.

Summary

If you are looking for a durable, inexpensive basketball hoop designed for children and amateur play, then this is a good option. It’s good for just shooting around and for family games. The adjustability is great for children, and it doesn’t have to be installed. However, it’s not built for adults or for serious play.

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