I'm looking to buy a portable hoop to put in the driveway. I've been eyeing this for $600; it's solid and has a generous 54" backboard: http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p...&fpricesort=priceDescending&parentPage=family Some of the Huffy brand ones are cheaper but look like junk. Any recommendations? I'll probably need recommendations on convincing my wife that we need to buy a $600 basketball hoop as well.
You realize someone will throw it in the back of their pickuptruck when you're not home? Save your money and buy the cheap one, they are just as good. You are only shooting hoops.
http://www.hoopshouston.com/ "Shaq in your back yard? Maybe not....but...you can be in your back yard, pretending you're Shaq. Great Line. Phenomenal"
Huffy does have a nice portable system for about $200 that you might like. They have it at Academy for sure, I'm not sure if I've seen it other places. Its portable, well made, nice clear acrylic backboard...really looks nice and "professional." Check out academy before you go burn $600 on the one you posted.
The ad says... The Lifetime® 71523 Competition 54-in XL portable basketball system can easily be rolled to desired location or can be bolted to a concrete surface with the lock-down base. The Shatter Guard™ backboard utilizes shatter proof polycarbonate technology and a the arena-style Slam-It Pro® rim includes wraparound bracing and double compression springs. This system adjusts from 7.5 to 10 ft. Looks like you are paying for a shatterproof backboard, break away rim & the goal being adjustable. Not sure most people would really use those features.
YES! I was recently looking at buying a $900 hoop at Oshmans but drove over to Academy for the hell of it. I came across the Huffy goal, 54' clear acrylic backboard, rebound guard, angled pole, etc. I've had trouble with goals falling over and this has a ground stake. Basically features I only found on goals $400+. I thought something had to very wrong with it to be that cheap but the deal couln't be passed. The installation was a little hellish as some parts were missed labeled in the instructions and it took a small mallet to hammer some bolts through some holes but, once completed, has been the best goal I've ever owned. The only things I've had problems with are a) the new "innovative" plastic brackets that hold the net up, fall off sometimes and b) it has a handle on the back to adjust the height, but it gets tough to get it to the 10' height and put the plug in the hole. You basically need two people (one to pull the handle down far enough and one plugging it) to get it. The brackets are easily snapped back on. So, these are minor problems, especially since I feel I got a great deal for the goal anyway. If Academy has them in stock, get one and you'll forget about paying $600+ dollars on a goal. Besides, from my research of finding the perfect portable goal, you're not going to get a good one (top to bottom) unless you pay $1100+.
Plus, I would STAY AWAY from this type of base. They advertise that they can easily be rolled, etc, etc. But, I've bought 3 goals in 2 years because that type of base just ends up puncturing. You then constantly lose all you water and the goals falls over in bad weather creating a bent rim.
Huffy NBA Performance Portable Basketball System $188.76 Every Day Style # 67292 SKU 0458-01206-7292 52-in. composite frame acrylic backboard Exactaheight® lift system provides height adjustments from 7.5-ft. to 10-ft. in 6-in. increments Heavy duty Pro Slam® breakaway rim 34 gallon Gladiator® portable base fills with water or sand I have this goal as well. The installation was cruddy, but it is extremely sturdy...stays upright with just water in the base (doesn't even come close to tipping)...and it looks great. Remember when installing, to get a lot of the bolts through the holes, you have to use the threads on the end of the bolt to grind out the black paint on the inside of the hole your putting the bolt through. I thought the parts didn't fit at first, but once you do this, they slide right in. Also, be very careful and precise when sliding the main pole peices together...you can't adjust the height of the main pole itself once they are stuck together. Once its put together...the best bang for the buck. Its sturdier than a $400 in ground system I had at my old house. By the way...you don't have to use the little plastic brackets for the net, you can put the net right onto the rim. I went to wal-mart and bought an extra thick basketball net to replace the little one it came with...made it look even better, plus it really makes the ball *swish*.
Damn, I don't remember and I threw away what would have told me. But, I do know it was a Huffy Gladiator and looks similar to this...
Frank Calliendo (to be picky about it), and yeah that's him. His John Madden is better, but the Rome is pretty good.
Bingo, this is the best goal you can buy from Academy for the price. I've been strongly considering picking one up myself. It helps when i have a 25% discount.
Friggin Kulakowskis came over, dunked, and bent my cemented rim when I wasn't home. I still want to kill those bastards. Then, in my junior year, I was forced to play on the same team as those frigging twins. The sickest part of it all was they were good. Both averaging like 25 ppg. My only redemption was after they left the team we went to the finals. damn Bastards. Bent my rim. Could've friggin killed 'em. Point of story is your rim is gonna get bent, so a breakaway is a good option.
I bought mine close to 10 yrs ago. It was the cheapest of the lot. Don't think I paid much more than $100. The base and post look exactly the same as the picture. The backboard is smaller. Filled up with water. It still works perfectly including the roller. I can move it anywhere. It's just a goal on a driveway, I wouldn't pay a lot for it.
