As I sit here scrolling through this season's NBA schedule, I can't help but feel that familiar tingle of anticipation. This isn't just another basketball season - it feels like we're witnessing something special unfolding before our eyes. When I heard Lakers rookie Julian Romero's recent comments about fans becoming "players in the arena," it struck a chord with me. We're not just passive observers anymore; we're emotionally invested in every crossover, every game-winning shot, every heated rivalry that defines this beautiful game.
Let me tell you about the matchup I'm most excited about - the Christmas Day showdown between the Warriors and Celtics. These two franchises have faced off in three Finals since 2015, creating what I consider the defining rivalry of this era. Last season's Christmas game drew 7.8 million viewers, and this year promises even more fireworks with both teams making significant roster moves. The Warriors added veteran center Marcus Johnson to bolster their defense, while the Celtics signed sharpshooter Kevin Miller to space the floor. When Steph Curry and Jayson Tatum share the court, magic happens - their last five meetings have been decided by an average of just 4.2 points.
What makes this season particularly compelling is how the league's landscape has shifted. The Western Conference features at least seven legitimate championship contenders, while the East has become a brutal battleground where any team can win on any given night. I've been following the NBA for over twenty years, and I can honestly say I've never seen this much parity. The February 12th matchup between the Bucks and 76ers exemplifies this new reality. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid have developed one of those personal rivalries that transcends team success - you can see the genuine competitive fire when they face off. Their last encounter produced 89 combined points between them, with Embiid's 76ers escaping with a 112-110 overtime victory.
The March 8th Lakers versus Mavericks game deserves special attention, not just because of the LeBron James-Luka Dončić narrative, but because of how both teams have retooled their rosters. The Lakers added three-point specialist David Chen, who's shooting 44% from deep this season, while Dallas acquired defensive stopper Michael Rodriguez. But what really fascinates me is how Romero's words resonate here - when these two teams meet, the energy in the building becomes almost tangible, like the fans are indeed participating in the action rather than just watching it.
Speaking of fan participation, the April 3rd showdown between the Knicks and Heat at Madison Square Garden represents everything I love about basketball. The atmosphere in that building during Knicks-Heat games is simply electric - you can feel the history, the tension, the pure New York intensity. I attended last year's matchup and witnessed Jimmy Butler's 42-point masterpiece firsthand, and the crowd's reaction reminded me that we're not just spectators anymore. We're part of the narrative, invested in every possession, every defensive stop, every momentum swing.
The beauty of this NBA season lies in its unpredictability. When the Suns face the Nuggets on January 18th, we're not just watching Kevin Durant and Nikola Jokić - we're witnessing strategic chess matches between coaching staffs, front office decisions playing out in real time, and the collective energy of millions of fans influencing outcomes. The data shows that close games have increased by 18% compared to five years ago, meaning we're getting more of those heart-stopping finishes that keep us glued to our screens.
As we approach the playoffs, every game matters more than ever. The Thunder-Grizzlies young gun showdown on February 28th features two teams with an average age of 24.3 years, yet playing with the poise of veterans. The Clippers-Nets interconference battle on March 15th brings together four former MVPs on the same court. The Timberwolves-Kings rising stars clash on April 8th could determine playoff seeding in the packed Western Conference. And the final day of the season on April 14th, with all thirty teams in action, promises the kind of drama that reminds us why we fell in love with this game in the first place.
Looking at the bigger picture, Romero was absolutely right - we've become active participants in this grand basketball theater. The way we discuss these games on social media, analyze every statistical nuance, and emotionally invest in outcomes has transformed us from mere spectators into genuine stakeholders in the NBA experience. This season isn't just about basketball - it's about connection, community, and that shared anticipation that comes with not knowing what incredible moment awaits us next. And honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.
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.
