Basketball Hoop Reviews

Archives for 2012

Mammoth 98874 In-Ground Basketball System

By

Pros

Stable, 72″ tempered glass backboard, 4′ overhang, anchor mount installation, lifetime limited warranty

Cons

The Mammoth Sticker might fade or peel off after time (very small criticism of a great hoop)

Overall Rating


The 98874 is the top basketball hoop sold by Mammoth. The biggest reason is because of the 72″, regulation sized backboard that can be found in gymnasiums all over. It also features a 6″ square one-piece steel pole and a 4′ extension from the pole to the backboard. The height can be adjusted from 7.5 to 10 feet in infinite increments. It’s installed using an anchor mount system. The spring-flex breakaway rim is made out of 5/8″ of solid steel with a wrap-around brace. The 98874 is backed by a lifetime limited warranty.

What To Like

  • Stable. A 6″ square pole is very sturdy, and the tempered glass backboard is also heavy-duty. It’s very rigid, which is exactly what you want from a basketball hoop.
  • 72″ tempered glass backboard. It’s the same size and material used on hoops in college and the NBA. It’s also 10mm thick, which is very thick for a glass backboard. It won’t move, and should last for as long as you need it for. This is about as good as it gets. To accommodate a backboard this big however, you’ll need a 3-car driveway or better.
  • 4′ overhang. This is the distance from the pole to the backboard. I believe 5′ is the regulation extension. This provides a ton of space for players underneath the rim, and makes it safer because players are less likely to run into the pole.
  • Handle adjust mechanism. I believe that it’s gas assisted, which makes it easier to adjust up and down compared to a crank handle. However, one caveat is that they tend to leak gas over time.
  • Spring-flex rim. It features a pro-style wrap around brace for support, and 5/8″ solid steel. It’s built to withstand abuse from serious play.
  • Anchor mount installation. Because the pole isn’t directly buried into the ground, it can be easily taken off the anchor if you need to move it.
  • Lifetime limited warranty. It speaks for itself. A brand wouldn’t offer a lifetime warranty if they didn’t believe in its durability.
  • Patented Handle Adjust System. The Handle adjust system is simple. Any child can move the hoop up or down because of the patented air help system. It is the distinguishing feature as I see it on this system.

Reviews from Around the Web

Amazon.com: 5 Stars – ‘I love the Mammoth Basketball Hoop’

Competitive Edge: The Website competitive edge has thirteen user reviews. Twelve of this hoops owners gives it *****Five Stars and one user gives it a ****Four Star Rating. The comments are positive with the theme “Wow, what a Fantastic Product.”!

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What Not To Like

  • No pole padding. I have seen images that show a pole pad, but no mention is made of it in the product description. Other brands do sell them however if you want one: Deluxe Basketball Pole and Gusset Pad. What’s great about this one is that it covers the base so players don’t trip over it. This is one of the best ones you can buy.

Summary

The Mammoth 98874 is one of the best premium basketball hoops on the market. For the price, it’s as good as you are going to get. Out of all of the Hoops I looked at, this is the one that I bought. We love it.

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:

Spalding 72354 Portable Basketball System

By

Pros

No installation, portable, polycarbonate backboard, space efficient, affordable, brand

Cons

Stability, durability, small backboard, increment adjustment, base prone to leaking

Overall Rating

The Spalding 72354 is an entry-level portable basketball system designed primarily for children and amateur players. It features a 48-inch polycarbonate backboard. The height adjustment ranges from 7.5 to 10 feet in 6-inch increments using the Pro glide lift mechanism. The 37-gallon capacity base can be filled with either water or sand. The 3.5″ round pole comes in 3 sections. The breakaway rim consists of 5/8″ steel. The 72354 is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.

What To Like

  • No installation. While the hoop requires assembly, it won’t have to be installed on a wall or in the ground. Installations can require a lot of time, energy, and resources.
  • Moveable. It can be transported or moved to various parts of your property if necessary. If for instance you live in a court, then you can move it out onto the street to take advantage of all the space.
  • Polycarbonate backboard. It’s stronger than acrylic, and therefore not as likely to break due to rough play or dunking. As long as you aren’t too rough with it, there’s no reason why it won’t last as long as you need it to. I would not recommend hanging on the rim.
  • Space efficient. This size is well suited for a one-car driveway. It’s also lightweight for a portable, so moving it shouldn’t be too much trouble.
  • Breakaway rim. It’s not heavy-duty by any means, but it has some give so the backboard doesn’t break when dunking.
  • Brand. Spalding is a reputable brand, they are known for quality and providing good customer service. The 5-year limited warranty is more than adequate.
  • Affordable. Priced around $300, this hoop is affordable for the average family.
  • 5-year limited warranty. If the backboard or any part of the hoop should begin breaking down, then Spalding will send replacements.

What Not To Like

  • Stability. Portable hoops naturally lack stability, particularly entry-level models because they are lightweight.
  • 48″ backboard. It’s on the small side, as it’s not really big enough for a 2-car driveway. It makes it harder to shoot bank shots. Numerous customers also noted that the backboard is pretty thin, which makes it a bit more susceptible to damage, plus it doesn’t play quite as well.
  • Durability. If it’s primarily used for shooting/playing purposes, then it should be fine. Children can dunk on it as long as they don’t hang on the rim. But this hoop naturally isn’t going to be as durable because the pole and backboard aren’t as strong.
  • Adjustable in increments. The more expensive hoops adjust infinitely, which means you can change the height anywhere between 7.5 to 10 feet. This hoop adjusts in 6-inch increments, so it’s a bit more limited in this area.
  • Leaky base. All portable hoops have a base, and the entry-level ones in particular seem to be prone to leaking. They aren’t usually made with strong materials.

Summary

The Spalding 72354 is built for children and families who want to play games together. It’s not ideal for adults, but they could still play on it as long as they aren’t rough with it. The hoop is made by a good brand, it takes up little space, can be moved around, and is affordable. It’s not the most sturdy or durable, so I wouldn’t expect it to last forever. But if you are looking for an affordable hoop for your children, it’s one to consider.

If you want a slightly less expensive hoop with similar characteristics, check out the Lifetime Complete Portable Basketball System

Orders processed Through Amazon.com

Goalsetter Systems GS72 Wall-Mount Basketball Hoop

By

Pros

72″ backboard, heavy-duty flex rim, 3′ offset, adjustable, lifetime limited warranty

Cons

Acrylic backboard, difficult installation

Overall Rating

The Goalsetter GS72 basketball hoop features a regulation size 72″ acrylic backboard and a heavy duty flex breakaway rim. The height adjusts in infinite increments from 6 to 10 feet using the compression height adjustment mechanism, which works by turning a handle. The distance from the wall to the backboard is 3 feet. The GS72 is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

What To Like

  • 72″ backboard. This is the same size used in college and NBA. They don’t come any bigger that this. It feels more authentic, and its more fun for players.
  • 3′ offset. The bracket extends out 3′ so players have space to maneuver under the basket. Plus, it’s better for safety because players won’t be as likely to run into a wall when driving towards the basket.
  • Adjustable. Most in-ground basketball systems adjust from 7.5-10 feet, but this one lowers all the way to down to 6 feet. This is very beneficial for children and those who want to slam dunk.
  • Heavy-duty flex rim. Most mounted hoops don’t have a rim this solid.
  • Stable. With a large backboard and heavy-duty extension arms, this hoop is very rigid for a wall-mount.
  • Space efficient. Because it attaches to a wall, you won’t have to be concerned about a lack of space.
  • Limited-lifetime warranty. Typically, a brand won’t provide a lifetime warranty unless they believe in the quality of it.

What Not To Like

  • Acrylic backboard. It’s a bit softer than tempered glass, and more susceptible to wear and tear over time.
  • Installation. A big, heavy-duty backboard and rim is certainly beneficial for performance. But it doesn’t make it easy to install.

Summary

The Goalsetter GS72 is one of the best wall-mount hoops you purchase. The only way you could do better is getting a tempered glass backboard. It has everything that you look for: big backboard, heavy-duty rim, and a 3′ offset. If performance is the name of the game, then this is one to seriously consider.

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