I still remember sitting in my living room as a teenager, completely mesmerized by the 2000 NBA Finals. That series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers wasn't just basketball—it was theater, drama, and athletic brilliance rolled into six unforgettable games. Looking back now through my lens as someone who's studied basketball for over two decades, I can confidently say this series fundamentally changed how modern championship basketball is played. The coaching philosophies, the superstar performances, the tactical adjustments—they all converged to create something truly special.
When I rewatch those games today, what strikes me most is how both coaching staffs approached team construction. Phil Jackson's triangle offense versus Larry Bird's more traditional system created this fascinating strategic duel that reminds me of current team-building approaches. Just like Tenorio mentioned about coaching staffs forming competitive teams, both Jackson and Bird demonstrated this philosophy perfectly. Jackson blended Shaq's dominance with Kobe's emerging greatness, while Bird built around Reggie Miller's veteran leadership and Jalen Rose's breakout performance. I've always believed this series showcased one of the most perfectly constructed Lakers teams in history—the way they complemented their superstars with role players like Robert Horry and Rick Fox was simply masterful.
Game 4 stands out in my memory as perhaps the most dramatic turnaround I've ever witnessed. The Lakers were down by 13 points in the fourth quarter, and honestly, I thought the series was heading back to LA tied 2-2. Then Kobe Bryant, playing through an ankle injury that would've sidelined most players, completely took over. His putback dunk over multiple defenders with 5:23 left wasn't just a basket—it was a statement. I've watched that play probably fifty times, and it still gives me chills. Shaq's performance throughout the series was statistically staggering—he averaged 38 points and 16.7 rebounds in the six games—but it was Kobe's emergence in crucial moments that truly defined their championship run.
What many people forget is how close Indiana came to extending the series. Reggie Miller's 35-point explosion in Game 5 showed why he was one of the most clutch performers in NBA history. I remember thinking during that game how Miller's shooting form was just poetry in motion—the quick release, the high arc, the way he created space with subtle moves. The Pacers actually outscored the Lakers in the second half of that must-win game, but Shaq's 35-point, 11-rebound effort proved too much to overcome. From my perspective, that Game 5 performance cemented Shaq's legacy as the most dominant force in modern basketball history.
The clinching Game 6 provided one of those iconic moments that define championship runs. With 2:33 remaining and the Lakers clinging to a four-point lead, Kobe drove baseline and found Shaq for that massive alley-oop that essentially sealed the championship. I've spoken with several coaches who still use that play as teaching material for timing and trust between teammates. The final score was 116-107, but the numbers don't capture the emotional weight of that moment—watching Shaq embrace Kobe while confetti rained down marked the beginning of a new era in Lakers basketball. Reflecting on it now, what made that team special wasn't just their talent, but how perfectly they embodied their coaches' vision of complementary basketball.
Two decades later, the legacy of that 2000 Finals continues to influence how teams are built and how championships are won. The balance between superstar dominance and team construction, the importance of role players in crucial moments, the strategic adjustments game to game—these elements all trace back to what we witnessed in that incredible series. As someone who's analyzed countless playoff series since, I keep returning to 2000 as the blueprint for championship basketball. The lessons from those six games remain relevant today, proving that while players and strategies evolve, the fundamentals of building a competitive team never really change.
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.
