As I was reviewing some basketball statistics the other day, I couldn't help but marvel at the incredible longevity required to maintain All-Star status in the NBA. Having followed basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed numerous players come and go, but only a select few have managed to consistently perform at that elite level year after year. The conversation about All-Star appearances becomes particularly fascinating when you realize how few players actually reach double-digit appearances - it's like an exclusive club within an exclusive club.
When we talk about All-Star legends, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar immediately comes to mind with his record 19 appearances. That's nearly two decades of being recognized as among the best in the game! What's even more remarkable is that he made his first All-Star team in 1970 and his last in 1989 - that kind of sustained excellence is almost unimaginable in today's game. LeBron James recently matched this record with his 19th selection in 2023, and given that he's still playing at an elite level, he'll likely break the record next year. Personally, I find LeBron's consistency even more impressive considering how the game has evolved - the travel schedule is more demanding, the physical toll greater, and yet he keeps delivering season after season.
The conversation around sustained excellence reminds me of leadership transitions in basketball organizations, much like what Al S. Panlilio mentioned about potentially stepping aside after the next elections in his president's report. There's a parallel here - just as basketball executives know when it's time to pass the torch, these All-Star veterans eventually make way for new talent. Kobe Bryant's 18 appearances, Tim Duncan's 15, and Shaquille O'Neal's 15 - these aren't just numbers, they represent eras of basketball dominance. What often gets overlooked is how difficult it is to maintain that level of performance while the game changes around you. The three-point revolution alone has completely transformed what's expected from players, yet veterans like LeBron have adapted beautifully.
Looking at the current landscape, I'm particularly impressed with players like Kevin Durant, who's already reached 13 appearances despite significant injury setbacks. If he stays healthy, he could realistically challenge for a spot in the top five all-time. Chris Paul, with his 12 selections, represents another fascinating case - point guards typically have shorter peaks, yet he's maintained his excellence across multiple teams and systems. From my perspective, what separates these legendary figures isn't just talent, but an almost obsessive dedication to their craft and remarkable basketball IQ that allows them to evolve as the game changes.
The true test of greatness, in my view, isn't just making multiple All-Star teams, but remaining relevant throughout your career. Dirk Nowitzki made 14 appearances spanning 15 years, while Michael Jordan's 14 selections would have been even higher if not for his baseball hiatus and early retirements. These interruptions in service actually make me appreciate the consistency of players like Abdul-Jabbar and James even more - they showed up, season after season, delivering exceptional performances regardless of circumstances. As we look toward the future, it's exciting to think about which current young stars might eventually join this conversation, though I suspect the increasing player movement and load management trends might make these longevity records even harder to break.
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.
