Man, putting together that basketball hardwood floor was way harder than I thought. Started off simple enough, figured I’d buy the materials and knock it out in a weekend. Went down to the hardware store and grabbed stacks of that hard maple tongue-and-groove stuff they said was “perfect for courts.” Should’ve known better.
Unloading Nightmare
First shock came when the delivery truck showed up. Each plank weighed like thirty pounds! Me and my buddy Joe grunted through unloading two pallets worth in the August heat. Sweat dripping everywhere, nearly dropped one on his foot. Pro tip: don’t wear sandals when moving maple.
Subfloor Surprise
Got the concrete pad cleaned and ready – or so I thought. Slapped down the foam padding, started clicking boards together. By lunchtime, the first section looked crooked as heck. Had to pull everything up and realized:
- The concrete wasn’t level near the garage door
- Padding bunched up in two spots like a cheap mattress
- Those “easy assembly” grooves chipped when my hammer slipped
So much for that “30-minute install” promise on the box.
Bruised Knuckles & Bad Words
Next three days were pure punishment. Had to:
- Grind down the humps in the concrete with rented equipment
- Re-cut a dozen planks after measuring wrong twice
- Borrow three more clamps when the boards kept shifting
My thumbs turned purple from tapping boards into place. Joe bailed after day two saying his wife needed help with gardening. Coward.
Why’d I even try this? Backstory time. My church league team played on rotting asphalt for years – felt like skating on gravel. Last March, Jamal (our point guard) blew his knee out when his shoe caught a crack. Doctor said proper flooring could’ve prevented it. Something snapped in me right then. Took my tax refund and decided to build a proper court behind my garage. Wifey thought I was nuts.
The Moment It Clicked
Final piece went in Sunday midnight. Stumbled inside covered in wood dust, slept like a corpse. Next morning felt like Christmas. Ran outside barefoot – that smooth maple felt glorious. Did a test dribble: ball bounced true every time. When the neighborhood kids showed up after school?
- Their eyes went dinner-plate huge
- First layup attempt slipped (gotta apply finish next week!)
- Fifteen kids still begged to play in the drizzle
Seeing them running hardcourt patterns instead of dodging cracks? Worth every splinter and busted thumbnail. Jamal’s physical therapist is gonna get a court pass for life.
