What Does Fusion Mean on a Fusion Basketball Backboard?

Fusion Basketball Backboard is simply a trademark name patented by Lifetime. It is used on the basketball systems and simply means that the backboard has a plastic (also known as polyethylene) frame around the backboard. Whenever you see a basketball system or an advertisement telling you that it is a fusion board, then it has a plastic frame. Some basketball systems have plastic frames as opposed to steel frames. Steel frames are generally considered to be better, because they have a stronger rebound. Each lifetime backboard has a frame. The frame goes around the perimeter and there are also two center channels behind the backboard. This supports the ball when you are making a bank shot. If you're making a bank shot and the frame is plastic, then the plastic is going to absorb a little bit of the rebound. If you make a bank shot and the backboard is steel, then it is going to have a good solid rebound. The Fusion Basketball Backboard does have one solid advantage over the steel boards. The fusion boards are made of polyethylene and therefore will never rust. They will outlast the rest of the basketball system. Fusion basketball backboard products are made in 44 and 48 inch sizes. If you see for example, a 54 inch board, you can know that it is not fusion. 54 inch boards are steel framed. Fusion boards look very nice and often have fancy graphics that children or young basketball players prefer. The larger sizes that are not fusion generally have more simple and more professional looking graphics.

44 and 48 Inch Fusion Basketball Backboard Examples

Lifetime Replacement Basketball Backboard - 73650 44-inch Fusion with Rim Combo 73650 Lifetime backboard and rim combo. Low price guarantee on all Lifetime basketball systems. Lifetime Basketball Backboards - 73621 48-inch Fusion Backboard Rim Combo Lifetime basketball backboard model 73621. This backboard features a fusion 48-inch backboard and an orange Slam-It rim. Volume Discounts available for basketball backboards. Steel Framed Backboard ExamplesLifetime Basketball Backboard and Rim Combo - 71526 Basketball 54-inch Backboard Lifetime basketball backboard 71526, Combos, clear 54 x 33 x 1 Inch Square Shatter Guard Backboard, orange Slam-it Pro Rim, Blow-Molded Frame Pad. 54 in Lifetime Basketball Backboard - 90087 52-inch Polycarbonate Backboard and Slam-It Rim Combo Lifetime basketball backboard 90087 52-inch backboard and rim combo features a polycarbonate backboard and an orange Slam-It rim. Order your replacement basketball backboards here. View more replacement backboard information here.View YouTube Video "Lifetime Basketball Systems, Performance"Michael Sweeten, Lifetime's Sporting Goods Product Manager, describes the various kinds of basketball systems, backboards, and rims, taking the guesswork out...[Fusion backboards would be a type of composite backboards mentioned in this video.][amazonjs asin="B0000AE6QU" locale="US" title="Lifetime 44-Inch Backboard/Rim Combo"]What has been your experience playing on the two different types of backboards?

What are your thoughts of the Lifetime fusion backboard?