Looking back at the 2013 NBA season still gives me chills—it was one of those years where the standings told a story far beyond wins and losses. I remember watching teams rise from what seemed like certain defeat, while others stumbled unexpectedly. The Miami Heat were defending champions, and LeBron James was in his absolute prime, but what fascinates me even now is how the playoff race unfolded in both conferences. Teams like the Golden State Warriors began their ascent, while traditional powerhouses faced surprising challenges. I want to walk you through some of the key moments and performances that made the 2013 standings so memorable, blending stats with the human side of the game—like Ric Ratliffe’s heartfelt reflection on his team’s journey. He once said, "It means a lot," when discussing making the playoffs, adding, "We had some struggles at the beginning of the year, once I got injured." That kind of raw emotion is what I love about revisiting this season; it wasn’t just about numbers, but resilience.
In the Eastern Conference, the Miami Heat dominated with a 66-16 record, but I’ve always felt their path wasn’t as smooth as it looked. They had a mid-season slump where they dropped five straight games, and I recall thinking, "Is this the same team that cruised to the title?" Yet, LeBron’s MVP-level consistency—averaging 26.8 points, 8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists—pulled them through. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers surprised me by finishing 49-32; their defense was stifling, allowing just 90.7 points per game, which I believe set the tone for their playoff run. But the real drama was in the lower seeds. The Chicago Bulls, despite Derrick Rose’s absence all season, gritted their way to 45 wins, and I admired Tom Thibodeau’s coaching genius. Then there’s Ratliffe’s team, which I followed closely—they started 10-15 after his injury but rallied to clinch a playoff spot. His quote resonates because it highlights how setbacks can forge stronger teams; they finished with around 44 wins, though my memory might be fuzzy on the exact number.
Out West, the San Antonio Spurs led with 58 wins, but what stood out to me were the surprises. The Houston Rockets, with James Harden’s arrival, jumped to 45-37, and I still argue they overperformed given their youth. The Warriors, though, stole my heart—Stephen Curry’s breakout season with 272 three-pointers (a record at the time) propelled them to 47 wins, and I remember predicting they’d be a force in the playoffs. On the flip side, the Los Angeles Lakers’ 45-37 record was a letdown; adding Dwight Howard and Steve Nash should’ve meant dominance, but chemistry issues left them struggling. I can’t help but feel they underachieved, whereas teams like the Memphis Grizzlies, with their 56-win grind-it-out style, exemplified how defense wins games. Ratliffe’s story fits here too—his team’s late surge mirrored others who turned injuries into motivation, and I think that’s a lesson for any squad: adversity often reveals true character.
As the season wrapped up, the playoffs brought even more drama, but the standings had already set the stage. Reflecting on it, I’m struck by how unpredictable team performances were—like the New York Knicks’ 54-win surge in the East, fueled by Carmelo Anthony’s scoring title. In the end, the 2013 standings weren’t just a list; they were a tapestry of grit, surprise, and redemption. Ratliffe’s words echo that: struggles early on made the playoff berth sweeter. For me, this season is a reminder that in sports, as in life, resilience defines greatness more than mere talent.
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.
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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
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