Looking back at the 2021 NBA Finals, I still get chills remembering how the Milwaukee Bucks clawed their way back from a 0-2 deficit against the Phoenix Suns. That series wasn’t just about talent—it was about choices, adjustments, and moments that shifted the entire momentum. I vividly recall Giannis Antetokounmpo’s historic 50-point closeout performance in Game 6, but what fascinates me even more is how both teams approached roster construction and in-game decisions. It reminds me of a quote I once came across from a coach discussing team selection: “At least now, I get to choose first. I’ll pick what we really need. Right now, we probably just need one outside and one middle player.” While the context was different, that mindset—prioritizing specific roles and filling gaps strategically—perfectly mirrors how the Bucks adjusted after those two initial losses.
When you’re down 0-2 in the Finals, every move feels monumental. Coach Budenholzer made subtle but critical tweaks, much like that idea of picking “one outside and one middle.” For Milwaukee, that meant leaning heavily on Jrue Holiday’s two-way presence and Brook Lopez’s rim protection. Holiday, in particular, was that “outside” piece—his defense on Chris Paul in Games 4 and 5 was nothing short of spectacular. He averaged 16.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 9.3 assists in the final four games, but his real impact came in moments stats can’t fully capture: stripping Devin Booker in transition, making entry passes when the offense stalled, and just being that steadying force Giannis needed. On the other side, Phoenix’s “middle”—Deandre Ayton—had an outstanding postseason, but the Bucks found ways to limit his effectiveness by forcing him into uncomfortable switches. I’ve always believed defense wins championships, and this series proved it—Milwaukee held the Suns under 105 points in each of their four wins.
Then there was Giannis. My goodness. His 50-point explosion in Game 6 wasn’t just a career highlight—it was one of the most dominant Finals performances I’ve ever seen. He shot 16-of-25 from the field and made an unbelievable 17 free throws out of 19 attempts. People criticized his shooting for years, but in that game, he was practically flawless. What stood out to me, though, was his humility afterward. He talked about trusting his teammates, about how Khris Middleton’s 40-point night in Game 4 gave him confidence. That’s leadership—knowing when to carry the load and when to uplift others. It’s like that earlier quote: picking what you need, when you need it. For Giannis, sometimes it was scoring; other times, it was setting screens or drawing double-teams.
Let’s not forget the role of luck, either. Injuries played a part—the Suns were dealing with a less-than-100% Chris Paul, while the Bucks lost Donte DiVincenzo early but adapted seamlessly. In my view, adaptability separates good teams from great ones. Milwaukee’s decision to insert Bobby Portis into the rotation, for example, gave them energy and rebounding when they needed it most. He grabbed 16 rebounds across Games 5 and 6, and his emotional presence was contagious. Sometimes, championships come down to those unheralded contributions—the “outside” and “middle” players who might not make headlines but fill the gaps perfectly.
Ultimately, the 2021 NBA Finals was a masterclass in resilience and strategic adjustment. The Bucks didn’t panic when things looked bleak; they identified their needs and addressed them piece by piece. As someone who’s followed the league for years, I think this series will be remembered not just for Giannis’ heroics, but for how a team can transform under pressure. It’s a lesson for any organization—sports or otherwise—about the power of clarity, choice, and trusting your core. And honestly? It’s why I still rewatch those games whenever I need a reminder of what championship basketball looks like.
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.
