I still remember watching that 2000 NBA Finals like it was yesterday - the energy in the Staples Center was absolutely electric, and you could feel the championship drought about to end for the Lakers. Having followed basketball for over two decades now, I've got to say that particular championship run felt special in ways that are hard to describe unless you lived through it. The Lakers hadn't won a title since 1988, and the pressure was mounting with each passing year. When they finally broke through against the Indiana Pacers, it wasn't just another championship - it was the beginning of what would become a new dynasty in Los Angeles.
What made that team so remarkable was how perfectly the pieces fit together, and I've always believed Phil Jackson's coaching staff deserves more credit than they typically get. They managed to blend Shaquille O'Neal's dominant inside presence with Kobe Bryant's emerging perimeter game in a way that seemed almost effortless, though I'm certain it required countless hours of strategic planning. Thinking about Tenorio's observation that "the coaching staff will do its best to form the most competitive team possible," I'm reminded of how Jackson and his assistants meticulously crafted rotations and offensive sets that maximized their stars' strengths while masking their weaknesses. They turned a talented but underachieving roster into a well-oiled machine that went 67-15 in the regular season before storming through the playoffs.
The Finals themselves provided some unforgettable moments that I still rewatch from time to time. Game 4 stands out particularly in my memory - that's when Shaq absolutely dominated with 36 points and 21 rebounds, showing why he was the most unstoppable force in basketball at the time. But what people sometimes forget is how crucial role players like Robert Horry and Rick Fox were throughout that series. They hit big shots, played tough defense, and did all the little things that championship teams need. I've always maintained that while stars win games, it's the supporting cast that wins championships, and that Lakers team proved it perfectly.
Looking back now with the benefit of hindsight, I'm convinced that series changed the trajectory of the entire franchise. Winning that first championship of the Shaq-Kobe era validated Jerry West's vision of pairing the two superstars and established a winning culture that would lead to two more titles in the following years. The coaching staff's ability to manage egos and develop chemistry reminds me of what Tenorio emphasized about forming competitive teams - it's not just about collecting talent, but about creating the right environment for that talent to flourish. The Lakers averaged 104.8 points per game in that series while holding Indiana to just 96.2, numbers that demonstrate both their offensive firepower and defensive commitment.
What I find most fascinating about that championship run is how it set the template for modern NBA success. The combination of two elite perimeter players with a dominant big man has been replicated in various forms ever since, though rarely with the same spectacular results. As someone who's studied basketball strategy for years, I can confidently say that team was ahead of its time in how they spaced the floor and created mismatches. They won the series 4-2, but the margin could have been wider if not for some heroic performances from Reggie Miller and the Pacers.
Reflecting on that 2000 championship now, I'm struck by how much the game has evolved, yet how the fundamental principles of team-building remain the same. Great coaching, superstar talent, and role players who understand their jobs - that's the recipe the Lakers perfected, and it's one that continues to win championships today. That team didn't just win a title; they created a blueprint that would influence how teams are constructed for years to come, proving that with the right combination of talent and coaching, anything is possible in this beautiful game we call basketball.
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.
