Fans, Bucks excited after Giannis named starter for 2018 NBA All-Star Game

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Giannis Antetokounmpo has been voted to his second All Star game. The Greek Freak will start the game for the East along with LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving and DeMar DeRozan.

Exactly one month after the announcement, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be in Los Angeles, starting in the 2018 All-Star game.

"It's Milwaukee on the big stage in los angeles when the whole world's going to be looking," said Dustin Godsey, Bucks Cheif Marketing Officer.

Antetokounmpo ranked 2nd in fan voting, tied fors first in media votes, and won the plater vote.

Giannis was about 100,000 votes behind LeBron who will be the team captain.

If the voting was only up to the players, Giannis would have led the team. He received 226 player votes compared to LeBron's 220.

"We kind of saw this coming, but to see him named as a starter, and not only that," said Godsey. 

In the Bradley Center's shadow, fans at Major Goolsby's Thursday say he's number 1 in Milwaukee.

"He's an all around great player, he's our all-star, he's our superstar here in milwaukee, he's our team," said Danny Olson.

Bucks fan Jim Grahmling recently took a trip to Greece, where everyone already treats Giannis as an all-star.

"I'd say, 'Well I'm from Wisconsin... that's where Giannis plays,' and they would light up," said Grahmling. "People followed him in Greece all over the country and they were so proud of his ability. They already knew he'd be an all-star someday, and I think we knew that too."

The greek freak is the first buck since the 1979 and 1980 seasons to play in two consecutive All-Star games. Marques Johnson last held that title, and the Bucks say he's on pace to join Kareem Abdul Jabar's franchise accomplishments "to average at least 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists for a season."

"We know with a young team there will be ups and downs, but this shows what the future is for us," said Godsey.

Fans made all-star comparisons outside the Bucks franchise.

"He's from Milwaukee and he is one of those greats now, and I think he's just going to get better and better. And LeBron might be the one passing the torch to him," said Matt Clavette.

"He shoots well, he drives well, rebounds well. It's kind of a boring answer to say, but almost LeBron. Because LeBron does it all, leader team. Giannis is similar," said Olson. 

What made giannis an all star? Mostly it was the fans. They accounted for 50 percent of the vote. Players and media accounted for 25 percent each.

The NBA All-Star game will happen Sunday, February 18.