Product Description

The Spalding 72351 Portable Basketball Hoop with 44 Inch Polycarbonate Backboard features a three piece 3.5 inch pole and the Slam Jam breakaway basketball rim. The polycarbonate backboard is five times stronger than typical acrylic, making it nearly impervious to cracking or shattering. The Pro Glide lift system allows you to easily adjust the basketball hoop from 7.5 - 10 feet in 6 Inch increments.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41765 in Sports & Outdoors
• Brand: Spalding
• Model: 72351
• Released on: 2006-07-20

Features

• Residential portable basketball system with 44-inch wide poly-carbonate backboard
• 37.5-gallon base fills with water or sand for stability
• 5/8-inch solid steel Slam Jam breakaway rim; Pro Glide lift system for adjustment from 7.5 to 10 feet in 6-inch increments
• Three-piece steel pole (3.0 inches round)
• Five-year limited warranty

Amazon.com Product Description
Enjoy years of recreational basketball fun in your backyard with the Spalding residential portable basketball system (model 72351), which features a 37.5-gallon base that fills with water or sand for stability. It offers a three-piece, 3.0-inch diameter silver pole and the Pro Glide lift system for easy height adjustment from 7.5 to 10 feet in 6-inch increments. It's matched with a 44-inch poly-carbonate backboard, 5/8-inch solid steel Slam Jam breakaway rim, and an all-weather net.

The base is easily portable thanks to the integrated wheels.

Portable basketball systems depend on a base filled with sand or water for stability. Although it will take up more space than an in-ground system, the portable base rolls on wheels, allowing players to position the basketball system in the desired location (and also allowing storage in a garage). Simply assemble, fill the base and play today. There is no fussing with concrete.

Manufacturer's Warranty
5-year limited warranty

About Spalding
As a Division of Russell Corporation, the Spalding Group consists of three business units: Spalding in Springfield, MA; American Athletic, Inc. (AAI) in Jefferson, IA; and Huffy Sports, in Sussex, WI. The three companies, collectively combined, are now the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world. Spalding is the official basketball supplier of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the official backboard of the NBA and NCAA, the official volleyball of the King of the Beach Volleyball Tour and the official football of the Arena Football League (AFL) and Pop Warner.

Amazon.com Basketball System Buying Guide
With the high-quality construction of many portable basketball systems, turning your driveway into a basketball court can be as simple as hooking up your garden hose. But while a portable system may ultimately be your best choice, there are reasons you may want to consider an in-ground or wall-mount system before you decide.

In-Ground Systems
In-ground systems are permanently cemented into the ground--either via a bolt mounting kit or directly into the ground--and are generally more rigid and take up less space than portables. In-ground systems often require that you hire a professional to complete the task, but when the cement dries you'll have a hoop that can take punishing dunks with ease.

Many in-ground systems are height-adjustable, include removable post features that let you take the system down for off-season storage, and feature heavy-duty break-away rims. You'll also want to research the adjustable mechanisms on the systems, as there are several types to choose from. Some feature a counter-balance spring that lets you perform easy, one-hand adjustments while others may feature a sturdy, pneumatic system.

Wall-Mount Systems
Wall-mount systems can be mounted to the side of a house, a tall retaining wall, or a garage. Generally sturdier than portables, wall-mounts have the added advantage of optimizing your existing ground space for the court, since you won't take any space up with the base or pole. Not all systems include the necessary hardware, so make certain you add a mounting kit to your list.

Portable Systems
Portable systems require minimal installation and offer ultimate convenience. These systems generally feature a base that can be filled with sand or water to stabilize them and include wheels for portability. Although they are not as sturdy as in-ground or wall-mounted hoops, portables are simple to set up and can often be folded for convenient storage.

Backboard Considerations
Regardless of which system you choose, you'll want to brush up on Backboards 101. Most residential systems feature backboards made of acrylic, fiberglass, graphite, or various other composite materials. While clear acrylic gives the professional look and feel of glass, it is not as rigid as fiberglass or graphite. Some systems may offer steel or aluminum backboards, which are virtually vandal resistant, but don't offer the true rebounding action.

The regulation size of an NBA backboard is 72 inches wide and 42 inches high. Most portable hoops are 42 or 44 inches wide and 36 inches tall. In-ground systems tend to be a bit larger, with 54-inch and 60-inch widths being the most popular. While rectangular shaped backboards provide more bank shot opportunities, they are generally more expensive than the streamlined fan-shaped board.

Customer Reviews

Great system
Pros: Portable, adjustable height, sturdy and strong, 3" steel pole, 44" x 30" clear backboard. Instructions are overall good (about 2 hours). Just add 2 gallons of RV antifreeze ($5 ea) if below freezing. Easy to lift and carry when empty (recommend water since it's easier to empty than sand).

Cons: Can't move once filled unless it's on a very hard surface because wheels are only 3.5 inches in diameter) and the approx 350 lb system creates a large pressure on those small wheels (300 lbs of water) and it digs into grass. The fill cap has no rubber seal, so water may leak when it is tilted, moved, or the base stepped on. One important problem with the instructions (read below) will only permit maximum height of 9.5 feet instead of 10 feet.

Instruction problems: This is relative to instructions dated 07/07 (ID M7221242). Page 21 shows bracket 27 and 34 attaching to the two lower holes and instead should be attached to the two higher holes. Using the two higher holes allows the 10 foot height to latch. Another minor problem is that page 24 shows lower elevator tube positioned backwards (that middle hole should be closer to the pole as it is correctly shown on pages 23 and 25). I notified Spalding of these two illustration problems.

Awesome hoop...but directions???
so, i've had this for over a month (now that's its finally warm-ish out) and i love it.

i use it almost every day and since i live on a culdesac i have to utilize the portability aspect every time.

my one and only complaint? the directions are horrible. the pictures/figures contradict each other and due to that it took me 3 times as long to assemble it. there was no way for me to tell until it was almost done which drove me crazy.

however, i'd rather have that be the problem than anything else.

that being said, i highly recommend this product. just watch out during the assembly!

Great System
This system is very nice.My son loves it!!! It was tricky to put together. It took 4 competant adults. At least one to read the directions and guide the others. You need at least 3 to hold the pole and balance it. Once it was up, we filled the base w/water and added sand bags. Excellent.