I still remember watching the 2000 NBA Finals like it was yesterday, sitting in my college dorm room with my eyes glued to the television screen. That series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers wasn't just basketball—it was theater, drama, and athletic brilliance all rolled into six unforgettable games. Looking back now with two decades of perspective as a basketball analyst, I can appreciate how this series fundamentally shaped the NBA landscape for years to come, much like how coaches today approach team building, echoing what Tenorio said about coaching staffs forming the most competitive team possible.
The series opener set the tone perfectly, with the Lakers taking Game 1 by a decisive 104-87 margin at Staples Center. What struck me most was Shaquille O'Neal's absolute dominance—he dropped 43 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, numbers that still make me shake my head in disbelief. The Pacers simply had no answer for his physicality in the paint. I've always believed that championship teams need that one unstoppable force, and Shaq was exactly that—a wrecking ball in purple and gold. Game 2 continued the Lakers' momentum with another convincing 111-104 victory, though I remember thinking even then that Reggie Miller's 25-point performance showed Indiana wasn't going to roll over easily.
Then came the shift in Indiana. The Pacers stole Game 3 with a 100-91 win at Conseco Fieldhouse, and I recall how the momentum suddenly felt different. Jalen Rose exploded for 30 points, outdueling Kobe Bryant in what remains one of the more underrated individual performances in Finals history. This is where Phil Jackson's coaching genius really showed—facing adversity on the road, he made crucial adjustments that would ultimately define the series. It reminds me of what modern coaches face today, that constant challenge Tenorio mentioned about staffs doing their best to form competitive teams, needing to adapt to changing circumstances.
The pivotal Game 4 will forever be remembered for Kobe's heroics. With Shaq fouled out in overtime, the 21-year-old took over, scoring 8 points in the extra period to secure the 120-117 win. I've rewatched that fourth quarter dozens of times, and it still gives me chills—that was the moment Kobe announced himself as a clutch performer on the biggest stage. Statistics show he finished with 28 points that night, but numbers can't capture the sheer audacity of those shots. Game 5 saw Indiana fighting to stay alive with a 120-87 blowout, but honestly, it never felt like they had a real chance to complete the comeback. The Lakers were just too talented, too focused on their ultimate goal.
When the final buzzer sounded in Game 6, with the Lakers winning 116-111 to claim their first championship of the Shaq-Kobe era, it marked the beginning of a dynasty. Shaq averaged a ridiculous 38 points and 16.7 rebounds for the series, earning Finals MVP honors in what I consider one of the most dominant individual performances I've ever witnessed. Reflecting on this two decades later, I see how this series exemplified championship DNA—the perfect blend of superstar talent, coaching adjustments, and role players stepping up at critical moments. It's the same philosophy that drives successful teams today, that relentless pursuit of building the most competitive roster possible, just as Tenorio described. Those six games in June 2000 didn't just crown a champion—they gave us a blueprint for what greatness looks like, and frankly, I'm not sure we've seen many teams since that could have beaten those Lakers at their peak.
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.
