The Best Basketball Backboards
Basketball was born in December of 1891 when Dr. James Naismith nailed a peach basket onto an elevated pole. This rudimentary basketball goal served as the example for all subsequent basketball goals. Goals have come a long way since those days as they are now made of metal, glass, and nylon. If you’re interested in getting a basketball goal, it’s important to select one that’s right for you. This article will be your guide to choosing the best basketball backboard for you.
Plastic Backboards
There are several varieties of commercial basketball goals. Obviously not all are to the specifications required by the NCAA and NBA, but for a driveway hoop it might not be something you need. The most common type of goal in a neighborhood setting is a portable residential goal. These typically have a plastic backboard, non-breakaway rim, and portable base. These types of goals are cheap and common. If you anticipate moving your goal frequently, this is the way to go. You can keep the base empty if you like your goal to be more portable, or you can fill the base with sand to keep it stable as you play. Dunking is inadvisable as the tensile strength of these goals is not as high as stationary goals.
Glass Backboards
If you’re interested in a higher quality goal for your driveway or house, there are portable goals that feature glass backboards. These combine the sturdiness of a standard indoor goal with the portability of a generic goal. For this reason it’s a good idea to find a place to permanently affix this goal by weighing it down with sand. The backboard will survive for much longer, and the breakaway rim is much more forgiving and pliable than other rims. These are a nice compromise between portability and quality.
High-Quality Backboards
If you’re intent on investing in a quality goal, there are many $2,000+ goals that can satisfy your needs. These goals feature a larger backboard (generally NBA regulation size), a thicker and more durable pole and breakaway rims. The more expensive goals generally do not have portable bases, so you must have a place in mind that you can permanently place your goal. This requires some work, as you must dig a hole, place the goal in, and then pour cement in to keep it in place. The added durability from its base assures that it will last longer, but that comes with the trade-off of limited portability. If you have a space dedicated for a basketball court, (big or small) then these backboards are your best bet.
Wall-Mounted Backboards
If space and money are issues, then you can always go for a wall-mounted basketball goal. You can see these above garage doors on the outside of houses. It provides the function of any other goal at a fraction of the price. However, these goals generally do not last as long, and you risk damaging the outside of the house. For a leisurely shoot around or casual game, this might be the goal for you.
