I still remember sitting in my living room as a young basketball enthusiast, watching the 2000 NBA Finals unfold. That series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers wasn't just another championship—it was a turning point that would shape the next era of basketball. Having covered the sport professionally for over fifteen years, I've come to appreciate how certain moments transcend the game itself, and the 2000 Finals was packed with them. The tension was palpable from game one, with both teams understanding what was at stake.
Kobe Bryant's alley-oop to Shaquille O'Neal in Game 7 remains etched in my memory. The play wasn't just spectacular—it was symbolic of their entire partnership. With 3:02 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Lakers clinging to a 5-point lead, Bryant drove baseline, drew two defenders, and lobbed the ball toward the rim where Shaq finished with thunderous authority. That single play showcased their complementary styles perfectly. I've always believed this moment defined their championship run more than any other—the young superstar trusting his dominant big man when it mattered most. The Staples Center erupted in a way I hadn't heard before or since.
Then there was Reggie Miller's game-tying three-pointer in Game 5. Down by three with 13.2 seconds left, Miller came off a double screen and drained arguably the most clutch shot of his career. What many forget is that he scored 8 points in the final 2:15 of that game. I remember thinking the Pacers might actually pull off the upset after that shot, but the Lakers held on to win 120-118 in overtime. Miller's performance that series, especially at age 34, demonstrated the heart of a champion even in defeat.
Shaquille O'Neal's dominance throughout the series was simply historic. He averaged 38 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks while shooting 61% from the field. Those numbers still astound me when I look them up. His Game 2 performance—40 points, 24 rebounds, and 4 blocks—was one of the most complete individual efforts I've witnessed in a Finals game. The Pacers tried everything—double teams, triple teams, even hacking strategies—but nothing could contain him. This was peak Shaq, and frankly, we may never see a center dominate like that again.
The coaching chess match between Phil Jackson and Larry Bird provided fascinating subplots throughout the series. Bird's decision to start Jalen Rose at point guard in Game 4 completely changed the series dynamic, while Jackson's adjustments to counter the Pacers' small-ball lineups showed why he's considered among the greatest coaches ever. This reminds me of what Tenorio said about coaching staffs doing their best to form the most competitive team possible—both coaching staffs exemplified this philosophy throughout the series.
Looking back, what made the 2000 Finals special wasn't just the individual moments but how they collectively signaled a changing of the guard in the NBA. The Lakers' victory marked the beginning of their three-peat, establishing the Shaq-Kobe dynasty that would dominate the early 2000s. For the Pacers, it represented the culmination of their Eastern Conference dominance throughout the late 90s. Even today, when I discuss classic NBA series with colleagues, the 2000 Finals consistently comes up as one that transformed how teams were built and how the game was played. The legacy of those iconic moments continues to influence basketball strategy and player development two decades 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.
