Hey everyone, it’s your boy back with another one of my little experiments. So, I’ve been getting into basketball lately – yeah, me, the guy who trips over his own feet. But hey, a man can dream, right? Anyway, I got this wild idea to put up an NBA-style hoop in my backyard. I mean, why not? Go big or go home, as they say. So, the big question popped up: how much is this gonna cost me?
First things first, I hit up the internet, like any normal person would do. I started looking up different kinds of hoops, you know, just to get a feel for what’s out there. I saw those in-ground ones, portable ones, and even some that you could mount on the wall. I was like, “Whoa, there’s a whole world of basketball hoops I never knew existed.” The prices were all over the place, from a couple hundred bucks to over a thousand. It was pretty overwhelming, I won’t lie.
I decided to narrow it down. I figured an in-ground hoop was the way to go – it just seemed more, I don’t know, legit? Like the ones the pros use. Plus, I wanted something sturdy that could handle my, uh, “enthusiastic” dunk attempts (in my dreams, of course). So, I started focusing on those.
Then came the size issue. I learned that the standard size for an NBA backboard is 72 inches wide, but those are huge and super expensive. I saw that 60 inches is a pretty common size for home courts. It seemed like a good middle ground – big enough to feel like a real court, but not so big that it would take over my entire backyard. After reading some reviews, I also considered a 54-inch one. They said it’s great for younger players, and while I’m not exactly young, my basketball skills are definitely at a beginner level.
Installtion
Next, there was the whole installation thing. Now, I’m not the handiest guy around. I can barely put together a shelf, let alone dig a hole and pour concrete. So, I started looking into professional installation. I figured it would be worth it to avoid any, you know, major mishaps. I called up a few local contractors, and most of them quoted me somewhere between $400 and $600. It seemed reasonable, considering the amount of work involved.
After a lot of back and forth, comparing prices, reading reviews, and bugging my friends for their opinions, I finally made a decision. I went with a 60-inch in-ground hoop and decided to get it professionally installed. I figured it was a good investment – something I could enjoy for years to come, and maybe, just maybe, improve my game a little.
So, that’s the story of how I ended up getting an almost-NBA hoop in my backyard. It was a bit of a process, but hey, nothing good comes easy, right? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go practice my free throws. Wish me luck!
- The 60” is the most common size for a home court installation.
- The 54” board is recommended for young players.
- Professional installations should generally range anywhere from $400 to $600 from beginning to end.
