The NBA Finals finally started on Thursday night with Game 1 of the 2015 Finals rematch between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. Last year, in a surprise performance, Andre Iguodala helped lead the Warriors to their first championship in over forty years and ended up the Finals MVP.

Iggy started right where he left off in Game 1, posting 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in 36 minutes off the bench. Even more impressive than his stat-line was his defense on LeBron James, which was also a major factor in the Warriors' 2015 Finals victory. Going into the series, Iguodala had 30-1 odds of winning the Finals MVP award.

While it’s only one game, the opportunity for Iguodala to repeat as Finals MVP is certainly there. If he were able to pull it off, he would be in the company of some all-time greats and become the sixth player ever to become back-to-back Finals MVP.

Other players on the exclusive list include Shaquille O’Neal (2000, 2001, 2002), Hakeem Olajuwan (1994, 1995), and Kobe Bryant (2009, 2010).

Michael Jordan (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998) is obviously on the list after going back-to-back-to-back not once, but twice! He was also the first player ever to repeat as Finals MVP.

And the most recent player to do it? None other than LeBron James (2012, 2013), the man Iguodala will most likely be defending throughout the series.

The Warriors took Game 1 in a convincing 104-89 win that saw the Warriors’ bench take over the game while Curry and Thompson combined for just 4-of-13 from 3-point range. Game 2 will take place on Sunday at Oracle Arena.

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