Who Has a Basketball Hoop in Their Driveway?

We have 3 boys and have always had our basketball hoops in the ground. Everywhere you go you see the movable ones laying on the ground...they are not very sturdy. I know my boys and knew they would try and climb it...so we have always had one cemented in the ground. In our last 2 houses we had ones that cost around $400 and they worked fine. But in our home now we got the really nice Gorilla brand and it is wonderful. I think we got it on sale for $1000. But it adjusts and is very sturdy.

I don't have one but many neighbors have, mostly, free-standing ones (with plenty of fill in base. They will tip over, otherwise.) Some have permanent ones.

However, I just wanted to respond... if you DO decide to put in a permanent one - please call J.U.L.I.E. first, before you dig. Yes... I had a neighbor who CHOSE not to call, despite the advise of his wife and neighbors. ("What's the big deal???? I'm just going down a couple feet????") This became the most expensive basketball hoop in the neighborhood. Only a couple feet down, he hit a gas pipe and, well.... over $3,000 later....

Good luck.

Becky,

The problem we've seen in our subdivision with the ones that are mobile is they are always knocked over! If they are not properly filled (the base is supposed to be filled with sand or water) they fall over it seems pretty easily. But, if you are buying it for the mobility aspect that most people buy this type for, its too hard to move if its filled. So people tend to put the sandbags on top of it, which still doesn't seem to keep them from tipping during rough play or storms, etc.

We opted for the inground type. Its safer that's for sure. And we figured if we were buying the thing in the first place it was so it could be used not hidden off to the side, or on its side! We shopped alot for these and found a great model at DICK'S...it was just under $500. The backboard says "lifetime elite" on it. Its shatterproof, can adjust in height with a simply squeeze and movement of a hydrolic movement. Simple to operate. We've had it 7 years, held up great in the weather too.
Good Luck! But i'd really think twice about the mobile kind.

We have had all three. Bought the house with the cemented in one. That was a real pain to get out. It cost us a fortune to take it out and dispose of it.

2. We got a cheap movable one with a small base. We filled it with sand AND put cinder bocks on top of the base. Yes, it did fall and dent our car.

3. We just got a new one (much more expensive) with a HUGE base. It also has an adjustable rim/backboard. Go this route. My son loves that he can move it up and down to dunk and practice real shots. They also move them arond the driveway so they have one at each end so they can play a real game. They must be moved with a dolly but well worth it.

Good luck
P.

Becky...we have a permanent one, cemented in (we also had extended our driveway, so we had more room) and it is also easily adjustable in height w/ an easy handle on the back of it. I would not want a moveable one for fear that it could fall on a child or fall over if someone is "dunking". Just a thought...but that's the way I would go and you can find a good deal...it's spring, so they will be on sale everywhere! Good luck.

I dont have one yet as my kids are to young. But all I can say is my neighbors is always falling over. I am waiting for it to hit their car one day or blow into mine.

My friend had the portable one & recently had an inground one installed

My brother had the mobile one. He lived in a cul-de-sac and all the neighbors agreed to keep it out there. They filled it with sand and it stayed.

We have neighbors who have those portable ones and every time there is a windstorm they get damaged. We have the one in the concrete. It was put in shortly after the house was built 20 years ago and now the metal pole is rusting and showing some wear. So they do last a long time.

You can adjust the height and that is a GREAT feature to have.

M.