A backyard can become a more relaxing and memorable part of a home when natural elements are thoughtfully incorporated into the landscape. Water features can introduce movement, sound, texture, and visual interest while creating a calm atmosphere for everyday enjoyment. From compact installations to larger focal points, the right feature can complement the property's existing style without...

I am an unabashed Doc Rivers fan.It's hard not to be. He is, by all accounts, a coach in the truest sense of the word. He rallied the 2008 NBA champion Boston Celtics around the idea of "ubuntu," a word of Southern African origin, which translates to, "I am what I am because of what we are."If you can't get behind that, then, well, that says more about you than it does Rivers.Those Celtics led by Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen; coalesced by Rivers were one of the NBA's all-time great teams, winners of 66 games, owners of that season's top defense (98.1 points allowed per 100 possessions) and its best net rating (+10.8).Those Celtics probably would have repeated in 2009 had Kevin Garnett not injured his knee, and they nearly won again in 2010 had Kendrick Perkins not injured his knee before Game 7 of their second NBA Finals in three years against the rival Los Angeles Lakers. There is another famous coaching story behind that, too. Following a February 2010 win over the Lakers, Rivers demanded $100 each from players and staff and stuffed $2,600 over a ceiling tile inside what was then Staples Center, promising to return the money if they returned for the Finals. And, against most odds, they did, as a No. 4 seed reaching Game 7 against Kobe Bryant's charges, even before, once again, succumbing to injury.Rivers always said those Celtics Garnett, Pierce, Allen, Perkins and Rajon Rondo never lost as a healthy starting five. He was right, of course, but he said it so often that it became a running joke. Which he had a lot of, too. Mostly about players and their fitness in training camp. Everyone arrived in the best shape of his life at the start of every year."He's 15 pounds lighter," he'd say with a smile, no matter the player.He could be serious, too, especiallyonworldlymatters. I'll let you decide whether you think he was right, but he stands for what he thinks is, and his players respect him for it. That is why Garnett, Pierce and Allen will present him into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend in Springfield, Massachusetts.Rivers was great with the media, too. He is great in the media. He's a tremendous personality, someone a lot of people would want to play a round of golf with someone who has played a lot of rounds of golf with a lot of people. The man's a good hang.He was a heck of a point guard, too, playing by a coach's credo. A Chicago prep legend, a Marquette product and a second-round draft selection in 1983, he made the 1988 All-Star roster in his 13 seasons. He fell just shy of 10,000 points and 5,000 assists for his career.His 50-win Atlanta Hawks lost to Larry Bird's Celtics in an epic Game 7 of the 1988 Eastern Conference semifinals. His 60-win New York Knicks lost in six games of the 1993 Eastern Conference finals to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. And his 62-win San Antonio Spurs took Hakeem Olajuwon's Houston Rockets to six games in the 1995 Western Conference finals. He appeared in 81 career playoff games yet never made the Finals.But he was a winner, just as he was as a coach, even though he never again won a title.He won Coach of the Year in his first season on the bench, as a 38-year-old with an Orlando Magic team that had no business finishing .500, and while he never won the award again, he served as one of the head coaches in the All-Star Game four times.His teams won 50 games 10 times. He was one of the game's best star-handlers. Not only did he manage the egos of Garnett, Pierce and Allen; he coached Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan on the L.A. Clippers. He shepherded Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons on the Sixers, and Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard with the Milwaukee Bucks.His stints following the C's were increasingly less successful, but his teams were mostly in the mix. He wasn't the best X's and O's coach, which may have contributed to a number of blown 3-1 series leads in the playoffs, but he was a master motivator. He relied too heavily on his veterans, often failing to develop young talent behind them, but everything he did was in service of winning at the highest of levels, and he did a damn fine job of it.Only five coaches in NBA history Gregg Popovich, Don Nelson, Lenny Wilkens, Jerry Sloan and Pat Riley have won more regular-season games than Rivers' 1,194. Only three Phil Jackson, Riley and Popovich (all of whom belong on the Mount Rushmore of NBA coaches, along with Red Auerbach) have won more playoff games than Rivers' 114.And if you were a team in crisis, you wanted Rivers as your coach. That says a ton, too.If Rivers had not been the on-court face of the Clippers, as coach and president of basketball operations, through the Donald Sterling scandal, who knows what becomes of that franchise? He navigated Simmons' meltdown with the 76ers and Antetokounmpo's trade request (or lack thereof) with the Bucks. He too often had to explain for his team's owner, because wouldn't you want that gravelly voice as the mouthpiece of your franchise?You wanted him around, and for a guy who has been around the NBA continuously for the past 43 years, that's not always easy to say. And now he'll be around forever in Springfield.A deserving plaque in the Hall of Fame. A good hang, indeed.

UNCASVILLE, CT Chamique Holdsclaw still remembers the phone call from legendary Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt after Candace Parker committed to Tennessee.Summitt knew she had another generational talent on her hands just like she did with Holdsclaw a decade earlier."She called me and she said, 'We got this one, and this one, shes going to change the game,' " Holdsclaw said Aug. 14 ahead of her Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement.And Parker did as a 6-foot-4 forward who could play any position, including point guard, forever changing the mold of versatility in the women's game as a big guard. But Parker grew up watching Holdsclaw do it first, and now they're in the same Naismith Hall of Fame class.The induction ceremony is Aug. 15 (7 p.m. ET, NBA TV) in Springfield, Massachusetts.Parker loved watching the way Holdsclaw moved on the court, her athleticism unmatched. The 6-3 Holdsclaw could stop on a dime, and there was a purity in her game that enchanted Parker. Holdsclaw was a generational talent, and players at her size didn't move like she did, couldn't dribble and shoot with her ease. Her midrange jumper was in a league of its own when Holdsclaw starred at Tennessee from 1995-99, and she raised the bar for everyone.Parker, who went on to play at Tennessee from 2004-08, used to practice Holdsclaw's moves. Holdsclaw's SLAM cover was hanging in Parker's bedroom in Naperville, Illinois, when it was released in 1998.When Parker was inducted to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in June, it was Holdsclaw there to introduce her. Having both her hall of fame inductions be alongside Holdsclaw has made it all the more meaningful for Parker."Being able to go in with someone that has meant so much to myself, but also to Coach Summitt and to be with her in this class, I think it's definitely written by Coach," Parker told Knox News. "I think shemade sure that this happened. Chamique Holdsclaw,she got a street named after her in Knoxville thatI walked past every single day on the way to the arena.So she'sinspired me so much, even now."Holdsclaw sees Parker as a little sister. They have always had a connection from the moment they met, which Holdsclaw will never forget. She saw Parker walk through the door and was struck by her size and build. Holdsclaw thought to herself, "If you cut her head off, that's an NBA player's body."Holdsclaw watched with pride as an alum as Parker pushed the evolution of the game forward, playing above the rim, becoming the first woman to dunk in an NCAA Tournament game.Parker is the only player that Holdsclaw has really seen herself in, she said, which is fitting since Parker is a product of watching Holdsclaw win three straight national championships for the Lady Vols."You just try to do your best as an athlete and when these young players, theyre like, 'Shes on the cover of SLAM,'same way I did I had players pictures on my wall, seeing how they move and then emulating them and then putting your own sprinkle of magic on it, and thats what (Parker) did," Holdsclaw said. "It's just great to see what she was able to do for the game.""I think everybody wanted to be like Chamique Holdsclaw," Parker added.When anyone asks Holdsclaw who her pick is for the greatest player of all time, she promises it's not Tennessee bias when she says Parker. Her only bias is being a player who loves big guards and versatility.Parker doesn't disagree that Holdsclaw's inclusion in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is overdue, but she's grateful that it allowed her to be in the same class."Whatshe'smeant to basketball, whatshe'sdone in college basketball, especially for University of Tennessee she'sthereason whya lot of people wanted to go there, including myself," Parker said. "AndsoI'mjust happythatshe'sgetting her love and getting her flowers now."Cora Hallis the University of Tennessee womens athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: cora.hall@knoxnews.com; X:@corahalll;Bluesky:@corahall.bsky.social.Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribeThis article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why it's fitting for Candace Parker, Chamique Holdsclaw to enter Basketball HOF together

IRVINE, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 12: Summer McIntosh of Team Canada prepares to start the Women's 200m Freestyle on Day 1 of the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships at William Woollett, Jr. Aquatics Center on August 12, 2026 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)Sean M. Haffey via Getty ImagesIn one of the biggest shocks of the meet through three days, world record holder Summer McIntosh missed the championship final of the women's 400 freestyle Friday morning, finishing ninth in prelims in 4:08.56.McIntosh posted a time more than 14 seconds slower than her own world record. It's a stunning result in an event she's dominated internationally over the past year, and it continues a disappointing week in freestyle events for the Canadian superstar.McIntosh came into the 400 off after losing the 200 freestyle by 0.19 seconds to Australia's Lani Pallister on day one after scratching the 200 butterfly. That result already raised eyebrows given her status as one of the most dominant swimmers in the sport. However, missing a final outright is a different level of surprise.Summer McIntosh does not qualify for the 400m freestyle A final at the Pan Pacs.Her time of 4:08.56 is the 9th fastest of the morning heats. She was in line to finish second behind Pallister in her heat and was out-touched at the wall and finished third. Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) August 14, 2026McIntosh is never shy about racing a heavy program, and the cumulative toll of that schedule may be part of the story. She was able to win gold last night in the 400 IM, making the freestyle stumbles specifically notable rather than a sign of an across-the-board slump.With McIntosh out of the picture, Katie Ledecky and Pallister will settle the 400 free between themselves tonight, a rematch of sorts after Pallister pushed Ledecky hard in the 1500 free on Wednesday. Ledecky led all qualifiers in 4:03.48, with New Zealand's Erika Fairweather second in 4:04.50. American Kennedi Dobson was a third in 4:05.10, just ahead of Pallister in fourth.Friday Finals Preview Gretchen Walsh will chase a sprint butterfly sweep in the 100 fly, an event which she holds the world record, after her surprise 100 freestyle loss on day two. In the 200 backstroke Regan Smith is looking to build on a strong championship-record swim this morning after securing silver in both the 50 and 100 backstroke.Australia's Sam Short, fresh off his championship-record win in the 800 free on day one, led the men's 400 free prelims in 3:44.34. He'll try to pick up his second gold medal in the 400 freestyle from lane number four.In the 50 breast, McKenzie Siroky will have a shot at winning her second Pan Pac title. However, she'll have her hands full with China's Tang Qianting, who broke Lilly Kings U.S. Open record in this morning's prelims.In the men's 50 breaststroke Van Mathias will attempt to win his second event of the championships against a tightly contested field led by South Africa's Michael Houlie.

Brusque and Inter de Limeira battle for top spot in Srie CThe 17th round of Brazils Srie C Championship begins this Saturday (15) and runs through Monday (17). The competition remains very tight, with little separation in points on the table. The featured matchup is between Brusque and Inter de Limeira at Augusto Bauer, in the interior of Santa Catarina.Playing at home, Quadricolor sits in second place with 27 points. Leo da Paulista, meanwhile, leads the competition with 28 points.Check out the other matchups this round:Saturday (15)Volta Redonda vs. Ituano - 5 p.m. - Raulino de Oliveira, Volta Redonda (RJ)Amazonas vs. Botafogo-PB - 5 p.m. - Carlos Zamith, Manaus (AM)Brusque vs. Inter de Limeira - 7:30 p.m. - Augusto Bauer, Brusque (SC)Santa Cruz-PE vs. Maranho - 7:30 p.m. - Arena Pernambuco, S. Loureno da Mata (PE)Sunday (16)Floresta vs. Anpolis - 4 p.m. - Presidente Vargas, Fortaleza (CE)Caxias vs. Figueirense - 4 p.m. - Centenrio, Caxias do Sul (RS)Confiana vs. Maring - 6:30 p.m. - Arena Batisto, Aracaju (SE)Barra vs. Itabaiana - 6:30 p.m. - Arena Barra, Itaja (SC)Monday (17)Ferroviria vs. Paysandu - 8 p.m. - Fonte Luminosa, Araraquara (SP)Guarani vs. Ypiranga - 8 p.m. - Brinco de Ouro, Campinas (SP)This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in here.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have had many heroes over the past two seasons as they remain kings of the baseball world, winning back-to-back World Series championships in 2024 and 2025.However, not all their heroes were expected. They built teams that removed individual egos from the equation for the betterment of the group, and that was exactly what right-hander Brent Honeywell Jr. provided during their run to the World Series in 2024.MORE: Dave Roberts issues warning to Andy Pages ahead of Royals gameHoneywell joined the Dodgers late in 2024 and proved to be a reliable piece out of the bullpen, pitching to a 2.62 ERA across 18 appearances in the regular season.That earned him a spot on the postseason roster, and his role was clear. Eat up innings and save the best arms in the Dodgers bullpen for higher-leverage spots, and that is exactly what he did. After the World Series victory, many Dodgers players and fans appreciated Honeywell for sacrificing his arm and keeping everyone fresh throughout the run.The Dodgers did not retain Honeywell for the 2025 season, and he did not pitch at all that year either. However, he is now looking to return to the big leagues. RHP Brent Honeywell Jr. has agreed to a MiLB deal with the San Diego Padres, reported Jordan Shusterman of Yahoo Sports.Honeywell did sign with the San Francisco Giants earlier this season back in 2026 after taking all of 2025 off, but was released. He will now join San Diego for his second stint with the organization, having previously made 36 appearances for the Padres in 2023 and posting a 4.05 ERA. At 31 years old, Honeywell still has enough left to carve out a role in a big-league bullpen, and a familiar organization could be exactly the fresh start he needs to remind people what he is capable of. Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ AbramsThe Washington Nationals are starting to fall out of the wild card race, sitting five games back of a wild card spot on Friday.They are not buried yet, but they need to play much better baseball down the stretch. Even if they miss the postseason, they seem to have two elite stars to build around or use as trade chips and land major assets. CJ Abrams and James Wood are both All-Stars who have the makeup to lead the Nationals to where they want to go. However, the Nationals are making a big change with Abrams for the last six weeks of the season.According to The Athletic's Spencer Nusbaum, the Nationals are moving Abrams over to second base. Nasim Nuez would presumably move over to shortstop. He has made 68 appearances there in his career.Abrams is an elite hitter and was a hot name at the trade deadline. With years of control, it would take a haul to get him, and clearly nobody wanted to pay the price. The Nationals are trying to maximize what he can do for their team, and improving his value on defense is a start.Looking for the perfect gift for a baseball player in your life? Check out our brand new baseball lifestyle brand!He has a minus-17 outs above average this season, ranking in the 1st percentile. To say he is not a good defender would be an understatement. He has made a league-leading 19 errors, and moving to second base may eliminate some of his throwing miscues.He will still need to put in work and improve his defense, but second base is easier than shortstop and should mask some of his defensive shortcomings. The move to second base could also open the door for the Nationals No. 4 prospect Seaver King to be the starting shortstop next year, or potentially as a September call-up.More MLB:Yankees' Carlos Rodn Looked Impressive In Second Rehab Start

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said this week that the team's starters would play against the Buccaneers on Friday night, but there's one significant change to that plan. Mike Garafolo of NFL Media reports that quarterback Geno Smith has been scratched due to foot soreness. Per the report, the Jets are not concerned about the injury and Smith would be playing if this were a regular season contest. With Smith out of the lineup, fourth-round pick Cade Klubnik will get an extended run in his first NFL game action. The Jets listed Klubnik as the No. 2 quarterback on their initial depth chart and he will now get the start against Tampa. Brady Cook and Bailey Zappe are the other Jets quarterbacks.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) NASCAR finishes have fallen into a familiar pattern for Christopher Bell.Second-place finishes in four of the past five Cup Series races have felt like a kick to the gut for the Joe Gibbs Racing driver.But those disappointments are always followed by a shot in the arm.Whenever Monday, Tuesday rolls around, youre like, Ahh, it was a pretty darn good day, Bell said before practice Friday at Richmond Raceway. Ultimately, the results that weve gotten have meant a lot more this year than what they have in my entire Cup career.Thats because NASCAR has restructured its championship system this season with the return of the Chase, which emphasizes accumulating points through solid finishes.Though in a 30-race winless streak, Bell is a lock to make the Chase and a threat to win the 10-race title run. Heading into Saturday nights 400-lap race at Richmond, hes ranked sixth in the points standings with seven second-place finishes (tying Harry Gants 1981 record for most runner-up finishes without a victory in a single season).During NASCARs previous title format from 2014-25, Bell might not have been a contender. Drivers relied on wins to qualify for the playoffs and advance through four rounds to win the title, but that's all gone in the Chase.Its been nice to stack some good results together, and were performing really well right now, Bell said. I certainly feel like were in the mix.He will try to maintain the momentum at Richmond despite the loss of pit selection and the ejection of car chief Chris Sherwood after Bell's car failed pre-race inspection twice Friday.Its been that kind of eventful season for Bell, who suffered a broken wrist in the June 7 race at Michigan International Speedway (the crash registered as the most violent in five seasons of the Next Gen car).He drove through the injury and healed quickly, ranking among the fastest on the circuit despite coming up just short at the checkered flag. On Sunday at Iowa Speedway, he lost to teammate Ty Gibbs when the handling on his No. 20 Toyota kept fading within striking distance of the lead over the final 50 laps.There were a couple times that I pushed really hard to try and make up ground, but the moment that I got there, I started sliding around and would fall back again, he said. There wasnt really any way for me to even move him out of the way without seriously jeopardizing both of us. If I would have tried to make any sort of contact, it was going to make my car jump sideways.Bell, who has a career-best second at Richmond, tries to avoid bumping drivers to gain position anyway. But he added that he wont settle for taking the points over challenging for a win.The standings and where youre at in points is super important, but the entire previous championship format was very much win or bust, he said. I think that mentality is still engraved in at least my mind and probably most of the industrys mind, but in all reality, its not win or bust anymore. You have to have good, consistent, strong runs every single week, and thats what were doing. Unfortunately, we havent got to victory lane, but weve been running really well.Hunting a rideJosh Berry says hes racing for my career, and the Wood Brothers Racing driver has performed under pressure lately. He is coming off a fourth place at Iowa Speedway, marking the teams first top five on a short track since Ricky Rudd in August 2005 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Berry, who was seventh a week earlier in the Brickyard 400, has consecutive top-10 finishes for the first time this season.Wood Brothers Racing announced two months ago that Berry will be replaced in the No. 21 Ford by Jesse Love next year, and Berry said this week he has made little progress since then on finding a job for next season.I cant do much else other than just try to have days like weve had the last couple of weeks, he said. If we turn this deal around and run like we have in the top five and top 10, and nothing materializes, I kind of feel it shows more about the system than it does about me.Gragson gets extensionThere are few places for Berry to land in the Cup Series, and another potential opening disappeared Friday.Front Row Motorsports announced a contract extension with Noah Gragson through 2027 with options to continue beyond next year. Gragson, who is ranked 31st in the points standings with only one top 10 this season, is in his second season with the team.Destination Down Under?Asked about a report that he might race at the Supercars Championship season finale in Adelaide, Australia, in late November, Ty Gibbs said nothing has been finalized.Itd be sick to do it, though, so well see what happens, Gibbs said. Ive got some friends that are down there racing. I havent watched too many (races), though. So I dont really get to see too much, but I think its sick.Odds and endsDenny Hamlin, who leads active drivers with five wins at Richmond and grew up about 20 minutes from the track, is the favorite, followed by Bell, Ryan Blaney and Gibbs. Richmond will return to the Chase next season, opening the 10-race championship run for the first time. The track was the regular-season finale from 2004-17 and in the playoffs from 2018-21.___See APs full auto racing coverage here

The St. Louis Cardinals have decided to call up their No. 3 overall prospect, Joshua Baez, after Fridays loss against the Chicago Cubs. The move makes sense considering the season Baez has had in the minor leagues.The 23-year-old outfielder has dominated Triple-A, posting a .256 batting average, .328 on-base percentage, .901 OPS, 34 home runs and 90 RBIs across just 103 games. He is big-league ready. Manager Oli Marmol confirmed that Baez would make his debut at Wrigley Field on Saturday, according to Jeff Jones of Belleview News.MORE: 11-year MLB veteran chooses retirement instead of joining AstrosWith Baez heading to the big leagues, his addition paves the way for the Cardinals to change Jordan Walkers role.Walker has fully broken out in his fourth big-league season. Across 118 games, he has posted a .282 batting average, .342 on-base percentage, .828 OPS, 23 home runs and 84 RBIs. While Walker put together a strong rookie season back in 2023, he spent 2024 and 2025 bouncing between the minors and the big leagues before finally establishing himself as a consistent everyday presence this year.Walker earned his first All-Star selection and put on a show during the entire break, winning the Home Run Derby by upsetting Kyle Schwarber at Citizens Bank Park.Walkers value comes almost exclusively from his bat. With Baez now in the mix and capable of playing all three outfield spots, it makes sense for the Cardinals to consider moving Walker out of the outfield entirely. Given his frame he could potentially shift to first base, or the Cardinals could use him primarily as the designated hitter to focus solely on his hitting. The move also makes sense defensively, as he has posted a fielding run value of -6 this year according to Baseball Savant.Getting Walkers bat in the lineup every day without the defensive liability is a straightforward upgrade, and Baezs arrival finally gives St. Louis the outfield depth to make that happen. Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter