Dirk Nowitzki invited to participate in the 3-point contest

Dirk Nowitzki enjoys spending time at the beach during the NBA’s All-Star break. Unfortunately for him, his presumptive vacation plans are on hold for the moment this year. The NBA invited Nowitzki to participate in the Three-Point Contest during the festivities in Charlotte, Marc Stein of The New York Times reports.

If he chooses to attend, it will be the sixth time in his career that he appears in the event. He was a participant in 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Nowitzki took home the crown 2006, edging out then teammate Jason Terry, becoming the only seven-footer to win the shootout.

This season, Nowitzki is shooting a paltry 26.1 percent from deep, albeit in extremely limited playing time. At age 40, he will be the oldest player to enter the Three-Point Contest—and one of the least agile.

In what many assume is Nowitzki’s last season, the NBA is undoubtedly extending the invitation as a show of gratitude and respect for the future Hall of Famer. It’s a nice gesture. At this point, how well Nowitzki performs—if he indeed foregoes his beach plans—is a trivial concern. It’s an opportunity for the NBA to showcase a legend and for the fans to cheer him on one more time.

Here’s a look at Nowitzki’s past performances:

2000

2001

2006

2007