As I was reviewing basketball statistics this week, I came across an interesting parallel between leadership transitions in sports organizations and the remarkable careers of NBA All-Star legends. While reading about SBP president Al S. Panlilio potentially stepping aside after next elections, it struck me how even the greatest players eventually make way for new talent - though their All-Star records remain untouched. The NBA All-Star game has always been basketball's ultimate showcase, and the players who've dominated this stage represent the very essence of basketball excellence.
When we talk about All-Star appearances, LeBron James immediately comes to mind with his staggering 19 selections and counting. I've followed his career since his first All-Star appearance in 2005, and what amazes me isn't just the quantity but the consistency across three different franchises. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 19 selections stood as the gold standard for decades, but LeBron has matched that while maintaining elite performance. What many casual fans don't realize is that Kareem actually appeared in 18 games despite 19 selections due to injury in 1973. Kobe Bryant's 18 appearances tell a story of evolution - from the flashy youngster to the seasoned veteran who understood the game's nuances better than anyone.
The conversation inevitably turns to longevity versus peak performance. In my analysis, Tim Duncan's 15 appearances might seem modest compared to LeBron, but they represent nearly two decades of sustained excellence. I've always argued that Duncan's fundamental approach, while less flashy, created a blueprint for consistent All-Star recognition. Meanwhile, Kevin Garnett's 15 appearances spanned different eras and teams, showing remarkable adaptability. The true marvels are players like Dirk Nowitzki, who managed 14 All-Star selections while revolutionizing the power forward position with his shooting range.
Looking at current players, Stephen Curry's 9 appearances (and counting) demonstrate how the three-point revolution has created new pathways to All-Star status. I believe we're witnessing a shift where shooting prowess is becoming as valued as traditional athletic metrics. Giannis Antetokounmpo's rapid ascent to 7 appearances shows how international players are now dominating the conversation. What fascinates me about the All-Star selection process is how it reflects the evolving nature of basketball itself - from big men dominating the paint to today's positionless basketball.
The records these players set aren't just numbers - they represent cultural moments that defined generations. Michael Jordan's 14 appearances created some of the most iconic All-Star memories, from his 40-point performance in 1988 to his final emotional appearance in 2003. Having watched most of these games, I can attest that the All-Star stage separates truly great players from legends. The pressure, the spotlight, and the competition create an environment where only the mentally toughest thrive.
As we look toward future All-Star games, I'm particularly excited to see how Luka Dončić and Trae Young build on their early selections. Both have 4 appearances already, and given their age and skill sets, they could realistically challenge the upper echelons of this prestigious list. The beauty of tracking All-Star appearances lies in watching careers unfold in real-time, much like watching leadership transitions in organizations like the SBP. Every selection tells a story, every appearance marks another chapter in basketball history, and the greatest players understand that each All-Star weekend represents both an honor and a responsibility to grow the game they love.
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.
