Lou Williams was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2005 straight out of high school. Although he didn't start in many games in Philadelphia, he soon became known for his ability to perform well as a bench player and is now considered by many to be the best Sixth Man over the last two decades.

Williams played for the Sixers for seven seasons before signing with the Atlanta Hawks, where he saw an increase in his playing time. In the 2014-15 season, he was traded to the Toronto Raptors, where he had his first season with over 15 points per game (15.5) and won his first Sixth Man of the Year Award. Williams then signed with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he continued to play well, but was eventually traded to the Houston Rockets during the following season.

After his time with the Rockets, Williams returned to Los Angeles, this time with the Clippers, where he won his second and third Sixth Man trophies. Williams exceeded 20 points per game during both campaigns, which is a remarkable feat. He played three more years before retiring, which also included a second run with the Hawks.

As of today, Williams holds the record for the all-time leading scorer with points off the bench, with 13,396. Although he will unlikely be elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, if there were a "Bench Hall of Fame," he would undoubtedly be a unanimous first-ballot entrant.

Andrew Ladd had a nice career in the National Hockey League, where the Left Wing played for 16 years and played 1,001 Games.

Ladd was taken fourth overall in the 2004 NHL Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes and later had six years where he scored over 45 Points.  He also played for Chicago, Atlanta, Winnipeg, the New York Islanders and Arizona and had a career with 550 Points. 

Failover internet is becoming more and more in demand for businesses worldwide. In fact, according to a study conducted by Open Gear, around 31% of businesses lost approximately $1.2 million due to internet outages. That’s why the increasing demand for backup internet is completely understandable. However, many argue that the cost of implementing failover internet systems can take a significant amount of their budget, which then leads some businesses to question whether it's truly worth the investment.

We’ve conducted the research for you, and we’re here to answer the biggest question you have in mind: Is failover internet for business really worth the cost?

How Much Does Failover Internet Cost?

The average cost of failover internet is around $40-$60 per month which varies depending on several factors such as the provider and the plan. Suppose you opt for the $40 plan, 40 times 12 is equal to 480. $480 per year seems like a reasonable investment for the peace of mind and operational stability that failover internet provides.

However, it's essential to consider the potential costs of internet downtime without failover protection such as lost revenue, decreased productivity, and even damage to your business reputation. Those factors can cost more than the investment you’ll make in backup internet, may it be satellite or fiber internet.

So, Is Failover Internet for Business Really Worth the Cost?

In most cases, yes, failover internet for business is worth the cost. Internet outages are inevitable and are bound to happen several times a year – both scheduled and unscheduled downtimes. If you’re still unsure if a backup internet is worth the investment, here are a few reasons that you might want to think about:

1. It significantly minimizes downtimes.

Minimizing downtimes is the main point of having a failover internet. Internet outages can significantly affect business operations that are heavily dependent on the internet, which leads to lost productivity, missed deadlines, and frustrated customers. Failover internet ensures continuity by automatically switching to a backup connection when the primary connection fails. This swift transition helps minimize downtime and keeps critical operations running smoothly.

2. It maintains employee productivity.

If you have a dependable primary internet connection like Dish Internet, you are probably well aware how a fast and stable internet keeps your employees productive. With failover internet in place, your employees can continue working without interruption, even when your main internet connection fails. This sustained productivity prevents workflow disruptions and allows your business to achieve its goals efficiently.

3. It protects businesses from revenue loss.

Internet downtime, especially during extended periods, can negatively impact revenue generation. For businesses operating in e-commerce, online services, or digital marketing sectors, every minute of downtime can translate to lost sales opportunities and revenue. By investing in failover internet, you can safeguard your business against potential revenue losses resulting from disrupted online transactions or inaccessible websites.

4. It enhances client satisfaction.

If your business relies on online channels for customer support, failover internet can be a game-changer in maintaining high levels of client satisfaction. Imagine your customers trying to reach your support team during an internet outage, only to find that they're unreachable. This can lead to frustration, dissatisfaction, and even loss of trust in your brand.

Failover internet ensures that your communication channels remain open, allowing your team to respond promptly to customer inquiries and support requests. By providing reliable and consistent service, even during internet disruptions, you can build trust with your clients and foster long-term relationships.

5. It maximizes your profitability.

Most businesses are all about profit, but depending on the nature of the business, profitability can depend on business uptimes. That means having a failover internet can directly impact your profitability. By minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous access to online resources, failover internet helps maximize revenue generation opportunities. Every minute of uninterrupted operation translates to potential sales, transactions, or client engagements that contribute to overall profitability.

The Bottom Line

The worthiness of the cost of failover internet depends on how big of a risk your business will be during internet outages. Since all businesses are not equal, it will depend on how much you depend on the internet for your business operations. You should assess your needs and how outages will affect your business. That’s when you can decide if a failover internet is worth the cost for your business.

The Portland Trail Blazers have had some bad luck in previous NBA drafts, but they have had success with draft day trades. One such trade brought them LaMarcus Aldridge, the second overall pick from the Bulls, and it turned out to be a great move for them.

Aldridge quickly established himself as a star player in Portland, earning All-Rookie honors and becoming a starter in his second year. He was also a top contender for the Most Improved Player of the Year award. Aldridge's numbers continued to improve as he dominated in the paint, and by the 2010-11 season, he was one of the most well-rounded players in the league. He excelled at rebounding on both ends of the court, and his fadeaway jumper was a thing of beauty.

Although Aldridge did not make the All-Star Team in 2011, he did earn a spot on the All-NBA Third Team. He continued to put up similar numbers over the next few years and earned All-Star honors in each of those seasons. He was also named to the Third Team All-NBA in 2014 and the Second Team All-NBA in 2015, with MVP finishes of tenth and seventh, respectively. Despite his impressive achievements, Portland was not a championship contender, and Aldridge wanted more national recognition.

Aldridge eventually signed with the San Antonio Spurs and continued to be a top player. He earned All-Star honors three times and added more All-NBA accolades to his collection. He also finished in the top ten for MVP voting in 2017-18. However, Aldridge still wanted a title.

In the 2020-21 season, Aldridge was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, but his time with the team was short-lived due to an irregular heartbeat. Although he was eventually medically cleared to return, he played in only 21 more games before announcing his retirement. He was not the same player he had once been, and the Nets did not live up to the hype that came with their star-studded lineup of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden.

Despite having Hall of Fame-worthy stats, Aldridge's name recognition never quite matched his talent.