The Cheat Code Vol. II - “No Pressure, Just Play”
📍From the Playground to the Pros: Where Confidence Was Never Taught—Just Earned. Before pressure, rankings, and viral highlights… there was just the game. This post takes you back to a time when confidence wasn’t coached, it was created—on the block, at the park, in the middle of daily battles with your crew. A raw, reflective story from The Cheat Code Vol. II about how competition, imagination, and the concrete grind made hoopers who they are today. 📖 Tap in to remember what it felt like to just play. 👟 No trainers. 🧠 No talk about “mental toughness.” 🔥 Just grit. Fun. And trying 'til you won. #TheCheatCode #ConkretePlayground #NoPressureJustPlay #FromTheMud #ConfidenceBuiltNotTaught #PlaygroundRoots
#BASKETBALLMINDSET#REALHOOPERSKNOWBASKETBALL CULTURE
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6/13/20254 min read
I remember when I first started hooping, there was no pressure to be good. I didn’t even know what pressure was. I was just a kid, lost in imagination, pretending to be Magic, Bird, or one of the local legends I watched run the court every day. Back then, the game was pure. That kind of freedom watching, mimicking, dreaming, was how I first learned confidence. But we didn’t call it that.
Nobody talked about confidence. We just competed.
You didn’t want to come in last when we raced down the block.
You didn’t want to be the only one who never hit a homerun in one-hop.
You didn’t want to be the kid who couldn’t throw or catch a touchdown.
You definitely didn’t want to be the one who couldn’t win a game of 33.
All my friends growing up were serious athletes, raw talent, could play every sport, everyday. But confidence? That wasn’t a word we used. It was just there, built into the rhythm of how we moved. If you couldn’t hang, you got better. If you lost, you figured it out. We competed hard, but we laughed just as hard. We roasted each other, slap-boxed on the corner, fought sometimes, but always circled back to the game. To the next shot. The next run. The next win.
There was no spotlight. No social media. No grown-ups telling us what it meant to be great.
It was just us. The concrete. The grind. The joy of the struggle.
And through it all, no pressure. Just play.
That’s the part I think is missing for today’s youth.
We weren’t entitled to anything. We didn’t complain. We didn’t quit.
We tried. And tried again. And again. Until one day… we won.
That trying was the fun.
That grind was the reward.
And confidence? It was built in.
In the world of sports, the essence of the game lies within one's mindset and understanding of their own abilities. Today, young players often struggle with low self-esteem and confidence, relying on the validation and support of others to achieve success. Unfortunately, many skilled players who truly deserve recognition are overlooked in a society that values rankings above all else. However, we possess the power within ourselves to redefine these narratives. "The Cheat Code" is a compelling compilation of experiences and narratives shared by author Lonnie Harrell. Through these stories, Harrell imparts invaluable wisdom and knowledge, guiding players to unlock their full potential by delving deep into their mental prowess and understanding their true capabilities.
At ConKrete Playground, we build moments that live forever. From the court to the crowd, we tell raw stories, celebrate the grind, and connect culture through the heartbeat of those who grew the game.
The Playground
The scout
Southeast’s Finest Makes Her Mark 💫Liatu King has officially signed a hardship deal with the Los Angeles Sparks, becoming the latest hooper from Southeast D.C. to touch the league! 🙌🏽 Born and raised in the heart of the city, a proud product of Johnson Jr. Middle School, Liatu is the first girl I ever coached—and now she’s a pro.
From tough courts in Congress Heights to this WNBA moment, her journey is everything Conkrete Playground stands for: grit, growth, and greatness. 💪🏽 She joins UCONN Assistant Coach Jamelle Elliott as another legend from our same neighborhood and school, proving that Southeast doesn't just produce talent—we produce greatness.
In this week’s edition of The Scout, Conkrete Playground breaks down the game of NBA All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, one of the most instinctive and refined guards in basketball.