Durant sees Giannis as perennial all-star: 'If he isn't, that's on him'

NEW ORLEANS - Golden State’s Kevin Durant, an eight-time all-star, put up a challenge to first-time all-star Giannis Antetokounmpo on Friday.

“I expect him to be here every year for the rest of his career,” Durant said. “If he isn’t, that’s on him.”

That’s how much Durant thinks of Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks point forward.

Durant admitted he could not have predicted the Greek Freak’s ascent to stardom when they first played against each other in Oklahoma City during the 2013-’14 season.

But there is no denying it now with Antetokounmpo starting for the Eastern Conference all-stars against Durant’s West team in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night (7 p.m., TNT) at the Smoothie King Center.

“He has all the tools to be here every year for the rest of his career,” Durant said. “I think he has the whole country (Greece) behind him and he’s playing the best basketball of his career.

“It all came together at the perfect time.”

Antetokounmpo clearly was enjoying the all-star scene. When he sat down for his hour-long interview session with the media, he stopped to take a photo before starting to answer questions.

“Let me take a picture first,” Antetokounmpo said. “This is crazy. I’m just trying to live the moment.”

Antetokounmpo is the first Bucks player to reach the all-star level since Michael Redd in 2004, and the first Milwaukee player to take a starting role since Sidney Moncrief in 1986.

The 22-year-old Antetokounmpo said it was “a big compliment” for Durant to speak about him in that way. Durant was one of the players Antetokounmpo looked up to as he was making his way from the Greek second division to the NBA.

“I believe I can be here as an all-star as long as I play basketball,” Antetokounmpo said. “But the most important thing is I believe it.

“It’s big coming from him. He was one of my favorite players when I came into the league. Being that big, having that size and doing the things he does on the court, it’s unbelievable.

“I wanted to be like him when I was young.”

Antetokounmpo also listed LeBron James and Paul George as having major influence on him, and he will get to play with them as all-star teammates Sunday.

East coach Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics said Antetokounmpo is deserving of the honor.

“He’s done a terrific job of getting better,” Stevens said. “Jason (Kidd) and his staff have done a great job with him.

“I was with him in Africa when we did the Johannesburg trip and actually coached his younger brother (Kostas). This will be the first of many, I’m sure.”

Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler, who also will start for the East, said Antetokounmpo has made his mark on the league.

“I like him,” Butler said. “He does a little bit of everything, too. He makes that Bucks team go.

“He deserves to be here. I’m happy for him and I’m rooting for him. Just not against us.”

Antetokounmpo said he plans to take notes – written or otherwise – while speaking to the game’s greats this weekend.

“I’ll be asking the guys, LeBron, ‘How do you view the game? What do you think about that? What do you think about this? How can you be a leader?’ ” Antetokounmpo said.

He said he doesn’t expect to be nervous when tip time comes.

“I’m just going to go out there and smile and do what I do best,” Antetokounmpo said.

Trade talk: Butler said he is not worried about rumors involving him as the league trade deadline approaches  Thursday.

“As long as somebody is reading and talking about something, it makes for a great story,” Butler said. “I don’t know if I deserve to be traded.

“That’s not my job description. I’m just supposed to be able to play basketball to the best of my ability. If I’m here (with the Bulls), I’m here. If I’m not …

“I don’t pay attention to it. You can’t help what people write or what people think. The majority of the time, it doesn’t happen; sometimes it does.”

Butler, the former Marquette player, has been mentioned in trade rumors involving the Celtics, who are in second place in the East behind Cleveland.

Butler was fouled in the final second Thursday night and sank two free throws to give the Bulls a one-point victory over the Celtics.

Another former Marquette star, Dwyane Wade, was not selected as an all-star this year, ending a run of 12 straight all-star selections, all while he was with Miami. Butler said he has benefited greatly from being a teammate with Wade, who signed with the Bulls as a free agent last summer.

“I always had a lot of respect for a guy that went to the Marquette University because he has to be really intelligent to get there,” Butler said with a grin.

“His career in college, in the league, you see what he’s done for the game of basketball. I think he’s one of the best human beings around the game.

“I’ve learned so much from him, on and off the floor. He’s a good dude.”