I still remember sitting in my college dorm room, watching that iconic Game 6 buzzer-beater as if it happened yesterday. The 2000 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers wasn't just another championship series—it was the culmination of a dynasty in the making, a passing of the torch from Michael Jordan's era to what would become the Shaq-Kobe dynasty. As someone who's studied basketball for over two decades now, I can confidently say this series contained some of the most dramatic moments in modern NBA history, moments that would shape the league's landscape for years to come.
That Kobe-to-Shaq alley-oop in Game 7 remains etched in my memory—the perfect execution of what would become their signature play. With 1:38 remaining and the Lakers clinging to a 98-96 lead, Bryant drove baseline and lofted a perfect pass that O'Neal slammed home with authority. What many forget is that Kobe was playing through a severely sprained ankle that would've sidelined most players, yet he still managed 26 points in that deciding game. The sheer dominance of Shaq throughout the series was something we may never witness again—averaging 38 points, 16.7 rebounds while shooting 61% from the field. Those aren't just MVP numbers—they're video game statistics that defy basketball logic.
Game 4's overtime thriller in Indianapolis showcased why this series was so special. Reggie Miller's game-tying three-pointer with 5.9 seconds left in regulation was pure Miller Time magic, the kind of moment that defined his Hall of Fame career. But what struck me most was how the Lakers' coaching staff, much like Tenorio described about forming competitive teams, made crucial adjustments that ultimately decided the series. Phil Jackson and his staff recognized they needed to counter the Pacers' perimeter shooting with smarter defensive rotations, and they implemented those changes seamlessly between games. That's championship-level coaching that often gets overlooked when we focus solely on the players.
The legacy of these Finals extends far beyond the trophy presentation. This series marked the beginning of the Lakers' three-peat and established the Shaq-Kobe partnership as the most formidable in the league. From my perspective watching these games live, you could feel the shifting tides of NBA power structures. The Pacers, led by the legendary Larry Bird in his final season as head coach, demonstrated the kind of strategic excellence that Tenorio emphasized—forming the most competitive team possible despite facing superior talent. Indiana's roster, while less star-studded, played with remarkable cohesion that nearly stole the series.
Looking back now with the benefit of hindsight, I'm convinced this series set the template for modern NBA success. The emphasis on superstar partnerships, the value of experienced coaching staffs, and the understanding that championship teams need both talent and tactical excellence—all these elements were on full display throughout those six intense games. The 2000 Finals weren't just about crowning a champion; they were about establishing a blueprint that franchises still follow today when building their own competitive teams. That's why, twenty-three years later, we're still talking about these moments and their lasting impact on how basketball is played and teams are constructed at the highest level.
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.
