Basketball hoops are a universal part of the game. They’re found in both elite high school and college gyms, as well as on playgrounds across the country. They can also be found at a wide range of prices. When it comes to purchasing basketball hoops, it’s important to know what you’re looking for before you make a decision.
You don’t want to go cheap as you might have to pay more than what you’d bargained for. That is why you should be checking out Mega Slam Australia basketball systems for the best basketball hoops. Here are some of the reasons not to go for cheap basketball hoops.
Quality
Cheap hoops are made of inferior products. You’ll notice the lack of quality as soon as the hoops start getting used. Because these hoops are made from such cheap materials, they’re going to break over time. The welds on the steel tubing are going to come apart and they’ll be missing bolts. The whole thing will be a mess and you won’t want to play with it anymore.
They’re Not Adjustable
If you buy a cheap basketball hoop, then you should expect that it’s not going to be as durable as a quality one. This means that the height of the rim is not going to be adjustable and the bracket on which the hoop is mounted is going to be extremely flimsy. If you’re the type of person who likes to shoot three-pointers from 25 feet out, this isn’t the hoop for you.
Not Portable
As much as they’re labeled ‘portable’, you’re likely to have serious issues when trying to move the hoops around. You might find it a tad too challenging moving the goals when circumstances necessitate so. Since the manufacturers will be focused on producing cheaply and in volumes, the design of the goals will often take a backseat yet it’s an important consideration when it comes to portability.
Deterioration
Most basketball hoops are designed to stay outside throughout the year. Those that are cheap don’t handle the elements that well. With each passing season is the continued susceptibility to the elements. It won’t take long before you start noticing rusting of the poles. There will be no other option but to invest in new goals which could have been avoided from the beginning.
Built For Short-term Use
Cheap basketball hoops are built for short-term use. They are not as durable or as safe as more expensive hoops. If the hoop breaks, you may have a hard time finding replacement parts from the manufacturer. This will make it impossible for you to take your hoop down and store it in the off-season until you need to use it again in the springtime.
Things to Consider Before Buying Basketball Hoops
Basketball hoops can be a very expensive purchase, and there are a lot of things to consider before buying. If you know exactly what you’re looking for, it can be easy to find the perfect hoop. But if you do not know what kind of basketball hoop is best for your needs, then here are some of the considerations to keep in mind:
Buy The Right Size
The first thing you need to know when choosing your basketball hoop is how big a playing square foot area you have. Basketball hoops come in different heights and sizes. Generally, a regulation-size basketball hoop is between 7 and 10 feet. You should never buy a basketball hoop shorter than 7 feet, as that is considered a children’s size.
If you are someone who is smaller than about 5’3″, then a regulation-sized basketball hoop will be too tall for you to play without jumping. An option you might want to consider then is getting an adjustable height hoop or even a mini-hoop for yourself.
For everyone else, a regulation hoop is the best choice. A regulation-sized basketball hoop measures 8 feet 2.5 inches from rim to rim and is adjustable up to 3.5 inches.
When deciding which size hoop to get, keep in mind that the longer the distance from the rim to the backboard is, the more bounce and energy you need to put behind your shots.
Material Used for Hoops
Basketball hoops come in 2 main materials, steel and composite. Steel basketball hoops are usually more expensive than composite hoops. However, if you choose a steel hoop, beware that it will rust if it gets wet too often or if you don’t take care of it properly.
Composite hoops are made of resin with a fiberglass backboard. They are usually cheaper but still have their disadvantages: they can bend if you hit the ball at a high velocity and they do not absorb impact well.
Rim Type
A basketball rim is shaped like an upside-down bowl, with a curved surface that fits the ball when it is thrown in such a way that it hits the rim and then bounces back.
In order to make it, the edge of the rim is sanded to a fine and even finish. This makes it easier for the ball to go through the hoop while not attracting a lot of fuzz from the ball’s surface, which can lead to a bad bounce.
You will also want to ensure that your hoop’s rim comes with a net. The net is the part of the rim that stops the ball from going through. The kind of net you can get will depend on the kind of basketball hoop you get.
Mounting Location
Basketball hoops can either be installed permanently, or they can be portable, which means they can be taken down and moved easily if needed. Therefore, if you have a permanent court in your backyard or driveway then a permanent basketball hoop is what you will need.
However, if you have a portable court or driveway that you want to use, then a portable basketball hoop would be the best choice. There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to portable hoops.
