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Amazon.com Basketball System Buying Guide
With the high-quality construction of many portable basketball systems, turning your driveway into a basketball court can be as simple as hooking up your garden hose. But while a portable system may ultimately be your best choice, there are reasons you may want to consider an in-ground or wall-mount system before you decide.
In-Ground Systems
In-ground systems are permanently cemented into the ground--either via a bolt mounting kit or directly into the ground--and are generally more rigid and take up less space than portables. In-ground systems often require that you hire a professional to complete the task, but when the cement dries you'll have a hoop that can take punishing dunks with ease.
Many in-ground systems are height-adjustable, include removable post features that let you take the system down for off-season storage, and feature heavy-duty break-away rims. You'll also want to research the adjustable mechanisms on the systems, as there are several types to choose from. Some feature a counter-balance spring that lets you perform easy, one-hand adjustments while others may feature a sturdy, pneumatic system.
Wall-Mount Systems
Wall-mount systems can be mounted to the side of a house, a tall retaining wall, or a garage. Generally sturdier than portables, wall-mounts have the added advantage of optimizing your existing ground space for the court, since you won't take any space up with the base or pole. Not all systems include the necessary hardware, so make certain you add a mounting kit to your list.
Portable Systems
Portable systems require minimal installation and offer ultimate convenience. These systems generally feature a base that can be filled with sand or water to stabilize them and include wheels for portability. Although they are not as sturdy as in-ground or wall-mounted hoops, portables are simple to set up and can often be folded for convenient storage.
Backboard Considerations
Regardless of which system you choose, you'll want to brush up on Backboards 101. Most residential systems feature backboards made of acrylic, fiberglass, graphite, or various other composite materials. While clear acrylic gives the professional look and feel of glass, it is not as rigid as fiberglass or graphite. Some systems may offer steel or aluminum backboards, which are virtually vandal resistant, but don't offer the true rebounding action.
The regulation size of an NBA backboard is 72 inches wide and 42 inches high. Most portable hoops are 42 or 44 inches wide and 36 inches tall. In-ground systems tend to be a bit larger, with 54-inch and 60-inch widths being the most popular. While rectangular shaped backboards provide more bank shot opportunities, they are generally more expensive than the streamlined fan-shaped board.
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Update: after conversation with Spalding, it turns out that there were missing plastic/vinyl spacers between the backboard and the goal assembly. These spacers reduce the shock on the backboard. The newer backboards are supposed to have the spacers pre-attached, so the instructions say nothing about them and they are not included in the parts. Spalding mixed newer instructions with older backboards, so there are no spacers and no mention of them in the instructions.
The main thing to get out of this is: YOU HAVE TO HAVE THESE SPACERS! If they are not already part of the backboard, and not in the instructions, don't put your goal together until you get them from Spalding.
All that said, assembly went well at first. I had two other adults helping so it went fast at first. Be sure you follow the instructions precisely for pounding the 3 poles together. If you get it wrong, you are hosed. Now, there are two things in the instructions that everyone needs to know but of course Spalding doesn't tell you. First, the hardware spacers #30 that get assembled on Section A, step 11 are plastic spacers but they look nothing like the hardware identifier chart on the top of page 7.. The width is correct in the drawing but the circle circumference is WAY off. This slowed us down while we double and triple checked to make sure we had nothing else that matched that #30 spacer. The second and most frustrating part of assembly was Section B, Step #2. Parts 51 and 27 were NO WHERE to be found in the box. We spent the better part of an hour searching for these parts. We finally gave up and I resolved myself to having to call Spalding for replacement after the weekend. We continued our installation for the remaining sections which went smooth. When we finally stood the goal up, we noticed that the #51 spacers were already in the backboard covered by part 27 which turned out to be a foam pad. First of all, there is NOTHING in the drawing to indicate this is a foam pad (it looks like it should be metal from the drawing) and secondly, the drawing clearly shows that parts #51 and #27 need to be assembled into the backboard when in actuality, Spalding did it for you at the factory. I hope this saves someone out there time.
