EWB Best Season: (14) 2013-14 Carmelo Anthony vs. (19) 2011 Mariano Rivera

Our next matchup of the Empire Writes Back best season of the 2010’s tournament features the 14th seeded 2013-14 season of Carmelo Anthony vs. the 19th ranked 2011 season of Mariano Rivera.

The next matchup of the Empire Writes Back best season tournament is underway, as (14) 2013-14 Carmelo Anthony faces off against (19) 2011 Mariano Rivera.

Both of these players are New York legends based off their career for the New York Knicks and the New York Yankees, respectively. However, only one can win this matchup and advance to the next round.

First, let’s start with the 2011 season of the only man to be unanimously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Mariano Rivera. Rivera had an outstanding year during his age 41 season for the Yankees, racking up 44 saves and posting a 1.91 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP in 64 games and 61.1 innings pitched. He also struck out 60 batters (8.8 SO/9 inning) and only let up 13 earned runs all season. All of this led a WAR of 2.9.

His efforts that year earned him an all-star selection for the 12th time in his career and an 8th place finish in the Cy Young award voting. Rivera’s 2011 season would have been impressive for any closer in the majors. But the fact that he did it at 41 years-old is truly incredible.

Speaking of incredible seasons, the one Carmelo Anthony put together during the 2013-14 season could also be categorized as just that. Anthony averaged 27.4 points and 8.1 rebounds while averaging a league high 38.7 minutes per game in 77 games for the Knicks that year. He also shot 45.2% from the field and 40.2% from three, in addition to making 84.8% of his free throw attempts.

For his efforts during that campaign, Anthony amassed 10.7 win shares, which led that Knicks squad. All of this led to him being named to the Eastern Conference all-star team, which was the 7th selection of his career.

This matchup is a tough one to decide on, as both sides of this matchup had great seasons that would warrant them being voted to move on to the next round.

Only one player can win, however, and that player for me is Mariano Rivera.

Although the underdog in this matchup, I think Rivera’s season was more impressive than Anthony’s.

Rivera was pretty much as dominant as he had been throughout his entire career, which is saying something considering the fact it was his age 41 season and he is widely considered the greatest and most dominant closer of all time.

Anthony’s year was great, don’t get me wrong. It was a year in which he posted that highest win share total of his career, which is impressive given that he will one day also be in the hall of fame.

With that being said, Anthony was in his prime during that season. Rivera was not, and that’s what makes the difference for me.

Do you agree that Rivera should win? Or do you think Anthony should move on? Either way, make sure you vote on our Twitter, @empirewritesbck, to determine who you think should advance.

If you have an opinion of your own about this matchup, leave a comment on our Twitter or in the comment section of this post.

Also, be on the lookout for future matchups, as they are released every morning throughout the tournament. In the mean time, check out the other amazing content that we have to offer on this.