By: Seomul Evans
Submitted: 2011-08-09 04:32:59 | Word Count: 506
If you're interested in purchasing basketball goals, you need to ask yourself a few questions. Should you buy one that is portable or built-in? Should you go for a square or round pole? But once these questions are answered, you also need to think about the material from which the basketball goals are made.
Let's take a quick look at some of your options: molded plastic, acrylic, polycarbonate and glass. They often look the same but the quality and durability will not. So do your homework first before clicking that buy now button.
[ advertisement ]
Molded Plastic
Molded plastic offers the most affordable option but you do get what you pay for. The plastic is of low quality in most cases so the goal actually shudders when you make a bank shot. That means the ball doesn't bounce back to you, instead it just falls down to the ground. Players who tend to get aggressive when playing need something stronger than plastic. But this might be a good choice of basketball goals for younger players.
Acrylic
Acrylic is not a bad investment. Although it does cost more than molded plastic, the rigidity of the basketball goals means they are likely to last longer. They can also stand up against aggressive playing and won't mess up your bank shots. If you're looking for something a little more like the pro systems then acrylic might be the right choice.
Polycarbonate
If you can't find acrylic, look for polycarbonate or vice versa. The two materials are almost identical when it comes to basketball goals. The only difference is that polycarbonate is a bit more durable so it can stand up to even the most vigorous games. The thinness of the goal could be another plus as well. Price wise it isn't much different than acrylic.
Glass
While definitely not the cheapest, glass basketball goals are the most commonly used on professional courts for the NBA and college teams. Even most high school courts include glass goals because they are the stiffest material and are great for enhanced rebounds. Of course, glass might not be the best choice for a home court or for young players but if you're looking for pro quality goals and you don't care about the price then glass is the best option.
I would make sure to ask all the right questions before purchasing one, especially when you purchase online so that you get it right the first time around. Returning a basketball goal may be cumbersome and expensive to ship back to the online store. Not that there is a right and a wrong choice as long as you understand what that choice mean and what to expect quality wise.
The bottom line is that you need to consider your budget and the quality of the basketball goals you are purchasing. While molded plastic may save you in the short run, acrylic and polycarbonate might offer the best combination of longevity and affordability when it comes to the basketball goals you want. Best luck to you!
