Looking back at the 2021 NBA Finals, I still get chills remembering how the Milwaukee Bucks clawed their way back from a 2-0 deficit against the Phoenix Suns. That series wasn’t just about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s superhuman performances—though his 50-point closeout in Game 6 remains one of the most dominant Finals displays I’ve ever witnessed. It was also a masterclass in team construction and mid-series adjustments, something that reminds me of a quote I once came across from a coach in another sport: “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.” In many ways, that’s what the Bucks did—they identified their needs, leaned into their strengths, and made the choices that ultimately brought them the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Game 1 was a wake-up call for Milwaukee. The Suns, led by Chris Paul’s 32 points and 9 assists, exposed the Bucks’ defensive lapses, especially in containing the pick-and-roll. I remember thinking, “This could be a short series if they don’t figure it out.” But then came Game 2, another Phoenix victory, where Devin Booker dropped 31 points. At that point, the Bucks were staring down an 0-2 hole, and the pressure was immense. It felt like the series hinged on Milwaukee’s ability to adapt—to pick the right adjustments, much like the coach in that quote emphasized selecting the essential pieces. For the Bucks, that meant tightening their perimeter defense and finding ways to get Giannis easier looks near the rim.
The turning point, in my view, was Game 3 back in Milwaukee. Giannis erupted for 41 points and 13 rebounds, but it was Jrue Holiday’s defensive intensity that shifted the momentum. He hounded Chris Paul, forcing 4 turnovers, and the Bucks won 120-100. That game showcased how crucial role players are in the Finals—sometimes, it’s not just your stars but the “outside” contributors, like Holiday, who change the series. Game 4 was even tighter, with Khris Middleton stepping up with 40 points, including clutch buckets down the stretch. I’ve always believed Middleton is underrated in big moments, and his performance here proved it. The series was tied 2-2, and suddenly, the Suns looked vulnerable.
Game 5, often the pivotal match in a tied series, lived up to the hype. Both teams traded leads, but Holiday’s steal and alley-oop to Giannis late in the fourth quarter became an iconic moment. Statistically, Holiday finished with 27 points and 13 assists, but his defense was the game-changer. That’s where the “middle” part of that quote resonates—having a versatile player who can impact both ends, much like Holiday did. Then came Game 6, where Giannis delivered a historic 50-point, 14-rebound, 5-block masterpiece. I’ll admit, I’ve never seen a player take over like that in a closeout game. The Bucks won 105-98, sealing their first championship in 50 years.
Reflecting on it now, the 2021 Finals taught me that championships aren’t just about talent—they’re about making the right choices under pressure. Whether it’s coaching adjustments, role players stepping up, or stars rising to the occasion, every piece matters. And while I might be biased as a longtime Bucks fan, I think this series will be remembered as one of the most resilient comebacks in recent NBA history. If you ask me, it’s a blueprint for how to build a champion: identify what you need, trust your core, and never back down.
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.
