As I settled into my couch with the popcorn ready for NBA opening night, I couldn't help but feel that familiar excitement bubbling up. Having covered the league for over a decade, I've learned that opening night isn't just about the first games - it's about the narratives that will define the entire season. What fascinates me most are the underlying storylines that often get overlooked in the hype, the kind of strategic battles that Spanish national team coach Sergio Reyes perfectly captured when he described a recent contest: "So that was key. And I think that's why the difference became that way in the end. But it was a war. This game was a lot closer than the score shows in the end." That sentiment resonates deeply with me because I've seen countless NBA games where the final score completely misrepresents the actual battle that took place.
The Lakers-Warriors matchup tonight perfectly illustrates this phenomenon. While everyone's talking about LeBron James versus Stephen Curry for what feels like the hundredth time, I'm more intrigued by the Anthony Davis-Draymond Green chess match that will likely determine the outcome. Davis averaged 25.9 points and 12.5 rebounds last season, but what those numbers don't show is how he struggles against physical defenders like Green. Having watched these two battle since 2015, I can tell you their individual matchup often becomes the deciding factor, much like Reyes described - it becomes a war where small advantages accumulate until they create what appears to be a decisive margin. The Warriors added Chris Paul, which I believe was their smartest offseason move, giving them a second playmaker who can control tempo when Curry rests. This depth advantage might not show in the first quarter, but by the fourth, it could be the difference maker.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets raising their championship banner before facing the Suns represents more than just ceremony - it's a statement game for both franchises. Denver lost Bruce Brown and Jeff Green, two role players I considered crucial to their championship run, while Phoenix completely rebuilt around their new big three of Durant, Booker, and Beal. Having analyzed their preseason, I'm skeptical about Phoenix's defensive chemistry - they allowed 118.3 points per game in exhibition matches, which won't cut it against the disciplined Nuggets offense. Nikola Jokic versus Kevin Durant should be spectacular, but the real battle will be in the margins, among the supporting casts. That's where championships are won, in those gritty moments that don't always show up on the stat sheet.
What really gets me excited though are the young teams ready to make their mark. The Thunder with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have been my dark horse pick since July, and I'm sticking with it. Their opening game against the Bulls might not get national attention, but watching SGA's development into a superstar has been one of my favorite narratives to follow. Then there's Victor Wembanyama's official debut - at 7'4" with an 8-foot wingspan, he's the most unique prospect I've ever evaluated. The Spurs carefully managed his preseason minutes, limiting him to just 24.3 minutes per game, but tonight we'll get our first real look at how he handles NBA intensity.
The beauty of opening night is that every team starts with fresh optimism, yet only a handful truly understand what it takes to win those "war" games that Reyes described. As the season unfolds, we'll discover which teams can thrive in those battles where the score doesn't reflect the struggle, where small advantages compound into victories. That's what makes basketball so compelling to me - not just the spectacular dunks or deep threes, but the subtle adjustments, the defensive rotations, the timeout plays that separate contenders from pretenders. Tonight begins that journey, and I'll be watching with my notebook ready, looking beyond the scores for the real stories taking shape.
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
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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.
