Dirk Nowitzki participating in the All-Star Saturday's 3-point contest was more about the league's recognition for his Hall of Fame career than his actual performance from beyond the arc this season.

Nowitzki got eliminated in the first round, as he was only able to put up 17 points, good for sixth best.

After the game, the 21-year veteran joked about his performance in the 3-point contest, saying he put more effort to it than his defense all season.

To be fair, Dirk Nowitzki has always been known as a 3-point specialist, not a 3-and-D guy.

But that's a good one, Dirk.

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Nowitzki has participated in the 3-point contest six times in his career, winning the event in 2006.

Nowitzki's busy All-Star weekend began on Friday, when he served as the honorary coach for Team World in the Rising Stars Challenge. He will also see action in tomorrow's All-Star Game, as a member of Team Giannis.

Following the All-Star break, Nowitzki and the Mavericks will play their final 25 games of the season. Although it has been announced a couple of weeks ago that he will retire after this season, Dirk still hasn't fully committed to it, saying that as long as he's having fun, he will keep playing.

This year's 3-point shootout was won by Brooklyn Nets' Joe Harris, who edged Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry in the finals. Sacramento Kings' Buddy Hield placed third.