I still remember watching Game 6 of the 2000 NBA Finals like it was yesterday - that moment when Shaq lifted Kobe in his arms after the final buzzer remains etched in my memory. The Los Angeles Lakers' championship run that year wasn't just another title; it marked the beginning of a dynasty that would dominate the early 2000s. What many casual fans don't realize is how close this partnership came to unraveling before it even reached its peak. The tension between these two basketball titans was palpable throughout the season, yet their competitive fire ultimately forged one of the most dominant duos in sports history.
Looking back at that championship team through today's lens, I'm struck by how perfectly Phil Jackson's coaching philosophy aligned with what Tenorio said about coaching staffs forming the most competitive team possible. Jackson masterfully balanced two massive egos while creating a system where both stars could thrive. Shaq averaged an astronomical 38 points and 16.7 rebounds during that Finals series against the Indiana Pacers - numbers that still feel unreal twenty-plus years later. Meanwhile, a 21-year-old Kobe was already showing flashes of the clutch performer he'd become, scoring 26 points in the closeout game despite playing through an ankle injury. The coaching staff's ability to maximize their talents while managing their personalities reminds me of what separates good teams from legendary ones.
What often gets lost in the nostalgia is how this championship fundamentally changed the NBA landscape. The Lakers' victory didn't just bring the franchise its first title since 1988; it established a blueprint for modern superstar partnerships. I've always believed that without this initial success, we might never have seen Kobe and Shaq develop the chemistry that led to two more consecutive championships. Their contrasting styles - Shaq's overwhelming physical dominance and Kobe's artistic precision - created a perfect basketball synergy that opposing teams simply couldn't solve. The Pacers, led by Reggie Miller's 25 points per game in that series, fought valiantly but ultimately couldn't match the Lakers' firepower.
Reflecting on that 2000 championship now, I'm convinced it represents something larger than basketball itself. It's about the delicate balance between individual greatness and team success, about how championship legacies are built through both talent and sacrifice. The coaching staff's approach to managing these two alpha personalities while building around their strengths set a standard that organizations still emulate today. When I rewatch those Finals highlights, what stands out isn't just the spectacular plays but the visible growth in trust between Kobe and Shaq as the series progressed. That transformation from two great players to a cohesive unit is what championship stories are made of, and it's why this particular Finals remains so compelling 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.
