I still remember watching the 2000 NBA Finals like it was yesterday, sitting in my college dorm with my roommates, completely captivated by what would become one of the most iconic championship runs in basketball history. That Lakers team was something special, and even now, looking back over two decades later, I can't help but marvel at how perfectly Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal complemented each other during that incredible playoff run. What made that team truly legendary wasn't just the raw talent of its superstars, but the way the entire organization came together with a singular focus - much like what Tenorio said about coaching staffs doing their best to form the most competitive team possible. The Lakers' coaching staff, led by Phil Jackson, absolutely nailed that concept.
The journey to that championship was anything but smooth, and I've always felt people don't appreciate enough how close we came to never seeing that dynasty form. The Western Conference Finals against Portland went to a decisive Game 7 where the Lakers had to overcome a 15-point fourth quarter deficit. I recall watching that game thinking it was over, but then Shaq just took over, finishing with 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in that clinching game. What often gets overlooked is how Kobe, at just 21 years old, averaged 20.4 points throughout that series against a veteran Blazers team. The coaching staff's decision to trust Kobe in crucial moments, despite his youth, showed incredible foresight. They truly built the most competitive lineup possible by balancing Shaq's dominance with Kobe's emerging greatness.
When they finally reached the Finals against the Indiana Pacers, it felt like destiny. Shaq was absolutely unstoppable, putting up numbers that still seem unreal - 38 points, 16.6 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game while shooting 61% from the field. I've always maintained that this was peak Shaq, a force of nature that nobody could handle. The Pacers tried everything - double teams, triple teams, even hacking strategies - but nothing worked. Meanwhile, Kobe's performance in Game 4, playing through an ankle injury to score 28 points including that iconic put-back dunk, demonstrated the heart of a champion. The coaching staff's ability to manage Kobe's minutes and trust him in clutch situations, even when injured, perfectly illustrates what Tenorio meant about forming competitive teams - it's not just about talent, but about understanding when and how to use it.
What made that championship particularly meaningful, in my view, was how it set the stage for everything that followed. That first title created the blueprint for the three-peat, establishing the Lakers as the team of the early 2000s. The coaching staff's strategic decisions throughout that playoff run - from managing minutes to developing offensive sets that maximized both stars' abilities - created a template that teams still study today. I've always believed that without that first championship, we might never have seen the full development of the Shaq-Kobe dynasty. The trust built during that 2000 run, the late-game experiences, the tough road wins - all of it forged a championship mentality that would carry them to two more titles.
Looking back now, with the benefit of hindsight, I'm even more impressed by how Phil Jackson and his staff managed to blend two such different personalities and playing styles into a cohesive unit. They didn't try to make Kobe something he wasn't, nor did they limit Shaq's dominance. Instead, they created an environment where both could thrive while supporting each other. That's the real art of coaching - taking incredible individual talents and making them better together. The 2000 championship wasn't just about two superstars; it was about an entire organization executing a vision, much like what Tenorio described about forming competitive teams. That Lakers squad showed us what's possible when coaching, talent, and timing all align perfectly, creating moments that basketball fans like me will cherish forever.
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.
