Lifetime 51550 Courtside Portable Basketball Hoop, 48-Inch Backboard

Lifetime's portable basketball hoops are the perfect choice for beginners and experienced players alike. The portable base with integrated wheels makes it easy to position the hoop in your yard or driveway. The adjustable pole allows you to raise the rim from 8 to 10 feet with one hand, enabling players of all skill levels to enjoy the game. The polycarbonate backboard provides excellent rebound and playing surface, and the UV-protected graphics will maintain their sharp appearance for years.

Hone your jump shot or perform backyard dunking drills with the Lifetime Courtside portable basketball system. Unlike in-ground hoops anchored in concrete, the Courtside rolls on wheels, allowing you to position the basket support anywhere, from the patio to the middle of the cul-de-sac. Simply fill the 31-gallon polyethylene base with water or sand, and you're ready to play.

Lifetime recognizes the importance of dunking and above-the-rim play in modern basketball, which is why the Courtside features a height adjustment mechanism and a spring-back rim. The three-piece, 3-inch round Speed Shift pole includes counter-balance springs that enable one-handed adjustment of the backboard from 8 to 10 feet. Players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy the game on their own terms, and aspiring dunkers can gradually raise the level 6 inches at a time as their vertical improves. The Slam-It Rim, with its solid-steel construction and double-compression springs, is designed for players who love to dunk, providing protection during the slam and then springing back into place.

The 48-inch Shatter Guard Fusion backboard, made of virtually unbreakable Makrolon polycarbonate, ensures your playing surface won't shatter after a nasty fall. Other features include fade-resistant, UV-resistant graphics, a high-impact polyethylene frame around the backboard, and a powder-coated, rust-resistant finish on the pole. The Courtside comes with a five-year warranty covering the entire system.

When considering a basketball system for your home, you may want to weigh the pros and cons of in-ground, wall-mount, and portable options. In-ground systems are permanently cemented into the ground, offering more rigidity and a smaller footprint, but typically require professional installation. Wall-mount systems optimize your existing space, but may require additional hardware. Portable systems, on the other hand, are the most convenient, requiring minimal installation and offering the ability to move the hoop as needed, though they are generally less sturdy than the other options.

Regardless of the system you choose, the backboard material is an important consideration. Acrylic provides a professional look and feel, while fiberglass and graphite offer more rigidity. Steel and aluminum backboards are vandal-resistant but may not offer the same level of rebound action. The regulation NBA backboard size is 72 inches wide by 42 inches high, but most residential systems feature smaller 42 or 44-inch wide and 36-inch tall backboards. Rectangular backboards provide more bank shot opportunities but are typically more expensive than the streamlined fan-shaped boards.

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