I still remember watching that legendary 2000 NBA Finals like it was yesterday. The energy in those games was absolutely electric, and honestly, I don't think we've seen a duo quite like Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal since. That championship run wasn't just about raw talent—it was about how Phil Jackson and his coaching staff managed to blend two massive personalities into one unstoppable force. When I look back at that team, I'm reminded of what Tenorio said about coaching staffs doing their best to form the most competitive team possible. Well, Jackson's staff absolutely nailed it.
The Lakers entered the 2000 playoffs with something to prove after falling short in previous seasons. Shaq was in his prime, averaging a ridiculous 29.7 points and 13.6 rebounds during the regular season, while 21-year-old Kobe was quickly becoming the perfect sidekick. What made this partnership special was how their skills complemented each other. Shaq dominated the paint like nobody else, forcing double-teams that left Kobe with opportunities to attack. I've always believed that without Shaq's interior presence, Kobe wouldn't have developed into the clutch performer we saw in those finals. Game 4 against the Pacers perfectly demonstrated this—with Shaq fouled out in overtime, Kobe took over and scored 8 points to secure the win. That was the moment, in my opinion, when Kobe truly arrived on the championship stage.
Jackson's coaching philosophy played a crucial role in managing these two superstars. The triangle offense wasn't just about X's and O's—it was about creating a system where both players could thrive without stepping on each other's toes. I think many coaches would have struggled to balance Shaq's dominance with Kobe's growing ambition, but Jackson's staff found ways to keep both engaged and motivated throughout the season. They understood that forming a competitive team meant more than just putting talent together—it meant creating an environment where that talent could flourish. The numbers speak for themselves: Shaq averaged 38 points and 16.7 rebounds in the finals, earning MVP honors, while Kobe contributed 15.6 points per game despite missing most of Game 2 with an ankle injury.
What often gets overlooked in discussions about that championship is how the role players stepped up at critical moments. Robert Horry's clutch shooting, Rick Fox's defense, and Derek Fisher's leadership all contributed to their success. This is where the coaching staff's ability to form a complete roster really shone through. They didn't just rely on their stars—they built a team where everyone understood their role and executed when it mattered most. I've always admired how Jackson managed to keep everyone focused on the ultimate goal, even when personalities threatened to derail their chemistry.
Looking back more than two decades later, that 2000 championship remains one of the most memorable in NBA history. It wasn't just the beginning of a three-peat for the Lakers—it was the start of Kobe's journey toward becoming an all-time great and the peak of Shaq's dominance. The way that team was constructed and coached set a standard that organizations still try to emulate today. While modern basketball has evolved with more emphasis on three-point shooting and positionless lineups, the fundamental lesson from that Lakers team remains relevant: championship success requires both superstar talent and a coaching staff that knows how to maximize it. That 2000 finals wasn't just a basketball series—it was a masterclass in team building that I still find myself studying and appreciating all these years later.
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.
