So, I wanted to set up a basketball hoop in my backyard the other day. Nothing fancy, just something for me and the kids to shoot some hoops on when we’re bored. First, I started checking out prices online, but man, there’s so many options out there. Portable ones, in-ground ones, different backboard sizes… it’s a lot to take in.
I figured I’d start by looking at portable hoops since they seemed easier to deal with. No digging holes or anything like that. I saw a couple that were around 44 inches for the backboard, which seemed like a decent size for casual play. There are even some bigger like 72 inches, they called that policy size tools, but I thought they were too big for me. And 60 inches, 54 inches and 48 inches were also mentioned, I guess the smaller ones are better for families. There was one called “Dextrus”, but I didn’t really look into specific brands too much at this point.
Then I started thinking about the height. I saw some adjustable ones that could go from 7.5 feet up to 10 feet. That’s pretty cool, especially since I got younger kids who might not be able to reach a full 10-foot hoop yet. I mean, 10 feet is what they use in the NBA, and I ain’t no LeBron! Though it would be tempting to just set it to regulation height and tell the kids to “grow into it,” haha! They are fans of NBA and college games. So this adjustable thing is important.
After browsing for a while, I decided to check out some local stores. I figured I could see the hoops in person and maybe get a better feel for the size and quality. Plus, I could ask someone there for recommendations. The website said:”Want to Save 30% in 30 seconds? Enter your zipcode so we can search prices and deals at your nearby stores.”Well, I am not sure whether it was true or not, but saving money is always good, so why not have a try.
- I went to a couple of sporting goods stores.
- Compared prices and models.
- Talked to the salespeople, who were surprisingly helpful.
- They had a wide variety of basketballs too, like Spalding and Wilson. I didn’t even know there were so many brands!
One guy told me that professional installations usually cost between $400 and $600. That’s way more than I was planning to spend! I’m just looking for something simple, not a professional court or anything. I think maybe I will do the installation myself. So I need to ask for different quotes from the installation company or local contractor in advance if I finally decide to hire someone.
Finally, I found a portable hoop that I liked. It had a 44-inch backboard, adjustable height, and wheels so I could move it around easily. It wasn’t the cheapest one, but it seemed sturdy enough. And it was way cheaper than getting one installed professionally. It is a good one for my family.
I ended up buying it, and so far, so good! We’ve been having a blast shooting hoops in the backyard. It’s nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. And who knows, maybe one of my kids will be the next big NBA star!
