As a lifelong NBA enthusiast and sports analyst, I've always been fascinated by the basketball culture in Dallas. Having followed the league for over two decades, I can confidently say that watching Dallas teams evolve has been one of the most compelling narratives in professional sports. The city's relationship with basketball tells a story of resilience, strategic rebuilding, and ultimately, championship glory that few franchises can match.
The Dallas Mavericks' journey began in 1980 when they joined the NBA as an expansion team. I remember those early struggles vividly - the team won just 15 games in their inaugural season, but what impressed me even then was their commitment to building something special. Through the 80s, they gradually improved, making their first playoff appearance in 1984 and reaching the Western Conference Finals in 1988. The turning point, in my view, came in 1998 when they drafted Dirk Nowitzki, a move that would ultimately redefine the franchise. What many don't realize is how close they came to trading him early on - thank goodness they didn't! Dirk's development mirrored the team's growth, and watching him evolve from a skinny German prospect into an NBA legend was absolutely magical.
The 2011 championship run remains one of my favorite basketball memories of all time. The Mavericks weren't supposed to beat the Miami Heat's superteam, but Dirk and Jason Terry played out of their minds. That championship was particularly sweet because it validated their patient approach to team-building. Fast forward to today, and we're seeing another exciting chapter unfold with Luka Dončić. The Slovenian sensation is putting up historic numbers - averaging 32.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.1 assists last season - and has already cemented himself as one of the league's most entertaining players. What strikes me about the current Mavericks is how they've managed to build around Luka while maintaining financial flexibility, something many teams struggle with when they have a superstar on a rookie contract.
The parallel I see between Dallas basketball and that Angels baseball reference is fascinating. Both demonstrate that sustained success often comes in waves - you build momentum, capitalize on opportunities, and sometimes you need that one decisive move to push you over the top. For the Mavericks, that final push came when they acquired Kyrie Irving, a controversial move at the time that's paying dividends now. The team's current success isn't accidental; it's the result of smart drafting, strategic trades, and developing a culture that attracts top talent. Their playoff entry last season felt reminiscent of that "pulling the trigger once and for all in the final frame" moment - they identified what they needed and went for it.
Looking at the broader Dallas basketball landscape, what continues to impress me is how the organization balances respecting its history while aggressively pursuing future success. The retirement of Dirk's number 41 was a beautiful tribute to their past, while the acquisition of young talent like Josh Green shows they're planning for the long term. The American Airlines Center remains one of the best atmospheres in the NBA, and having attended games there multiple times, I can attest to the passionate fan base that fuels the team's home-court advantage.
As we look ahead, I'm genuinely excited about where Dallas basketball is headed. The Western Conference is tougher than ever, but the Mavericks have shown they can compete with anyone when healthy. Their offensive rating of 118.7 last season placed them among the league's elite, and if they can improve defensively, I believe they have what it takes to make another deep playoff run. The organization's ability to adapt while staying true to its identity is something other franchises should study. In my professional opinion, Dallas has established a blueprint for sustainable success in the modern NBA - one that honors tradition while embracing innovation, and frankly, it's a joy to watch unfold season after season.
People in Motion (PiM) is our employee advocacy and improvement program. These cross-functional groups are comprised of employees, with an executive sponsor, who contribute ideas and drive action towards focused areas of improvement across the employee experience. The groups include: Kyruus Kontext & Business Readiness; Community, Connectivity, & Engagement; System, Tools, & Productivity; IDEA [Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility].
As a remote-first company, we are invested in employees creating a work setup that allows them to do their best work. In addition to a laptop, we also provide you with $750 to get the additional equipment you need and add an ongoing amount of $1,200 to your salary to cover remote work costs.
We value ownership at Kyruus Health, not only in the work you do but in the shared financial success from our growth. Employees will have the opportunity to grow their equity ownership throughout their tenure.
We care about creating the time you need to bond for any team members at Kyruus Health growing their families. We offer 8 weeks of fully paid leave to all parents. Birthing parents are also eligible for additional time and coverage through our Short-Term Disability plan.
We encourage all employees to save for retirement through our 401(K) plan. Employees have the option to begin contributing to their accounts on their first day of employment and we offer an employer match of up to $1,500 per calendar year for all employees who enroll.
We offer employees a lifestyle stipend of $2,000 per year to help them be well. This is designed for Kyruus Health to offset the cost for items, experiences, or home expenses that enhance team members’ well-being
We want to provide employees and families with health insurance offerings to support them getting the care they need. Our health, dental, and vision plans are desiged to allow employees the opportunity to choose options that work best for themselves and their families.
We are committed to flexibility and empowering employees to do work that matters in a way that works for them. Our unlimited PTO policy is anchored on that flexibility – encouraging employees to take time off for what’s important to them, in addition to the many company holidays we celebrate. To highlight our commitment to a healthy work-life balance, we provide a specific stipend each quarter for employees to use on a recharge day.
