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Basketball’s popularity is exploding!
 
An estimated 30 million American kids 7 years of age and older play. Over one million boys and girls participate at the high school level. The NBA All Star game and annual NCAA Basketball Tournament continue to attract a record number of television viewers. More families are investing in portable or permanent home basketball systems to add to their quality time together — perhaps during stay-at-home vacations. Drive down any street in America and you’ll see entire families hooping it up.
 
If you and your family are investing in a home basketball system, the type you choose should depend on where you plan to install it, how frequently you plan to use it, and if you’ll use it for light practicing or for serious games.
 
Both permanent and portable basketball systems require ample room to enjoy the game. If you have plenty of room and level pavement at the end of a driveway, a permanent system might be the smart choice for you. It will require more effort to set up and install, but offer more stability than most portable systems. If you’re pressed for room, currently renting or leasing a home, or if you’re only an occasional player, a portable unit might be a smart choice. The entire system can be quickly wheeled away until you want to use it again and easily moved to your next home.
 
How frequently you play can help determine the stability, strength and durability of the system you need. When properly installed, permanent systems anchored to the ground offer the best stability. The base of most portable systems can be filled with water or sand for stability while you play. One or two-piece poles offer the greatest strength. Square poles are more rigid and stronger than round poles. Most permanent and portable systems are also height adjustable. Look for a system that offers infinite high adjustments rather than only two or three different fixed height settings. Also look for poles, brackets and quality hardware designed to resist rust and corrosion.
 
Whether you use your system for light practice or for serious games can help determine what size backboard, what backboard construction and what type of rim to choose. NBA backboards measure 72 inches wide and 42 inches high. Permanent and portable systems with 60-inch and 54-inch glass or acrylic backboards offer great playability. High-strength composite backboards are also available in a variety of sizes and styles. Tempered glass boards offer a pro-style look and feel with truer rebounds. Acrylic boards are more affordable but less durable in extreme weather conditions. Spring-loaded breakaway rims really don’t breakaway. They bend or flex to help prevent the rim from breaking when a player dunks the ball or hangs off the rim. Some flex only at the front. Others flex at the front and side. Look for a rim that matches your personal playing style.
 
Rolled onto the driveway or anchored into the ground; for light practice or a serious game; with a glass, acrylic or composite board. Whichever permanent or portable basketball systems you choose, be sure to hoop it up with your family and friends whenever you can.
 
-Hot Shot
 
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