Alright, let’s talk about this here basketball floor thing, the kind they use in them big-time games, you know, like the FIBA stuff. I ain’t no expert, but I seen a thing or two, and I can tell ya what I know.

What kind of wood they use for that fancy floor, huh?

• It’s gotta be strong wood.
• It’s gotta be smooth, so them fellas don’t trip and fall.
• And it’s gotta look good on TV, I reckon.

How do they put that floor together, anyway?

It ain’t just slapping boards down, I tell ya. They got these little pieces, all cut precise-like. Then they fit ’em together, like a puzzle, but a real tough puzzle. I seen some folks talking about “application services,” that just means puttin’ the floor in, right? And they say it gotta be approved by FIBA, so it’s gotta be done right, no funny business. You can’t just use any old wood, and you can’t just throw it down any which way. It’s gotta be level, and it’s gotta be sturdy.

Is it always wood? I heard tell of other stuff.

Now, that’s a good question. I hear they use other things too, like that plastic stuff, PVC or vinyl, they call it. And sometimes even that concrete stuff, like what they make sidewalks out of. But for the real fancy games, the ones on TV, it’s mostly wood, that parquet stuff. They say it’s the best, got a good bounce to it, makes the game better, I guess. Vinyl is cheaper, though, and easier to put in. Maybe that’s why they use it for some places. It’s sturdy, and it looks clean. But wood? Wood is classic, you know?

Can you just put one of these floors in your backyard?

Well, you could, but it ain’t gonna be easy, and it ain’t gonna be cheap. First, you gotta dig up all that grass, get down to the dirt. Then you gotta pour some concrete, make it real solid. Then comes the hoops, gotta anchor them down good, so they don’t fall over when some big fella dunks. They use some strong stuff for that, like epoxy and all-thread, whatever that is. Heard tell ya need a real deep hole filled with concrete, so them hoops don’t move an inch. And that roof over your head? Gotta be high, real high. They say 16 feet at least, otherwise you gonna be hitting your head every time you shoot a basket.

So, what’s the best floor, wood or that plastic stuff?

Well, like I said, wood is the best, if you ask me. It’s what the pros use, and it’s got that feel, that bounce. But that plastic stuff, it’s cheaper and easier to take care of. And that concrete, well, that’s for outside mostly. It’s all about what you need it for, and how much money you got. Me? I like the wood. It’s just… fancier.

In the end, it’s all about making a good place to play basketball, right? Whether it’s fancy wood or that plastic stuff, the important thing is to have a good, safe floor. So them players can run and jump and do their thing, and we can all watch and enjoy the game. That’s what it’s all about, ain’t it?

So there you have it, my take on basketball floors. Like I said, I ain’t no expert, but I know what I see. And I seen enough to know that a good floor is important, whether it’s for the pros or just for the kids in the neighborhood. Now go on and play some ball, y’hear?