JR Radcliffe

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst has been on the schedule for a long time to appear on ESPN's "The Jump," which tapes in Los Angeles -- the site of the next Milwaukee Bucks game Saturday afternoon against the Clippers.

But the timing couldn't have been more perfect anyway.

On the heels of his team's 134-111 stunner over the Golden State Warriors elsewhere in California on Thursday, the Bucks have momentarily become the buzz of the NBA. Horst chatted for an extended segment with Rachel Nichols, former Bucks player Richard Jefferson and Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen.

"For us as a team that's just building and trying to figure out a way to contend, for us to have small milestones along the way and continue to improve ... big games like that on the road are fun, and I think it was a great step for our guys," Horst said.

Pippen noted, "You guys have done more damage to the Warriors than people really know." The Bucks defeated the Warriors at Oracle Arena last year, as well, and also famously snapped the Warriors' string of 24 wins to start the season in 2015-'16.

Jefferson joked that Horst was part of the team that "traded me for a bag of peanuts and future considerations." Now that Horst has risen to the role of general manager, perhaps his biggest move was bringing in coach Mike Budenholzer, who has his team out to a 9-2 start.

"He talked about unlocking our talent," Horst said, thinking back to the interview with Budenholzer. "His system and his style of play that he has fits the group of guys we have."

The ESPN crew asked Horst about the challenges of keeping Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee for the bulk of his career.

"We have one of the greatest players in the game and he's 23 years old so that's exciting," Horst said. "It's on us to build a team that fits and have a program and culture that he wants to be a part of, and so far, we've done that.

"To watch him grow day by day and step by step is remarkable. ... I just think every year, he comes back with something different. At some point this year or early next year, you're going to see him with a three-point shot, and I think the rest of the league's pretty scared of that."