Kopfgelt » I think that is overlooked a lot of times. ... Steve N

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, England -- For once, its not what Lionel Messi is doing with his feet thats creating a stir.After dyeing his hair peroxide blond, the Barcelona forward will stand out even more in matches.The 29-year-old Argentine revealed the new hairdo, covering previously dark locks, at the Spanish champions pre-season training camp in England.Defender Aleix Vidal seemed bemused to be asked about Messis hair on Wednesday, saying hes free to do whatever he wants. Im not bothered -- hes the best.Messi isnt a trendsetter with his hair.In recent months, James Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Samir Nasri (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) and Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United) have gone blond.Going back into the last century, Romanias entire 1998 World Cup team showed up for a game all sporting blond manes. NEW YORK -- The Greek Freak put on a show in Brooklyn.Giannis Antetokounmpo had 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, Jabari Parker scored 22 points and the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Nets 111-93 on Thursday night.You have special players that we come across, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Bucks coach Jason Kidd said. Youve got different players that are rare and I think Giannis is one of those rare birds that well be able to enjoy for a long time.Malcolm Brogdon and Tony Snell each added 13 points for the Bucks, who followed their impressive victory over Cleveland with their third straight win.Brook Lopez scored 15 points, Sean Kilpatrick had 14 and Bojan Bogdanovic added 13 for the Nets, who outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime on Tuesday and were trying to win consecutive games for the first time this season.If youre going to come out flat, thats how its going to happen, especially in the NBA, Kilpatrick said. Thats all the stuff that happens, especially if you come out flat and youre not playing with no type of energy. Once a team sees that, its like being in the ocean and youre bleeding. A whole bunch of sharks keep jumping on you if they see that.The Bucks continued their dominance of the Nets since Kidd left Brooklyn for the Milwaukee coaching job.Milwaukee led by one in the third quarter when the Bucks went on a 14-2 run to go up 77-64. Milwaukee took a 90-78 lead into the fourth quarter, led by Antetokounmpos 11 points in the third, and never looked back.I think we got the ball moving, but it all starts with our defense, Kidd said. We got stops and got out into the open court. We started to share the ball. I thought the ball moved a lot better in that second half.Antetokounmpo sat out the entire fourth quarter and missed a chance at a triple-double with Milwaukee hosting Brooklyn on Saturday.Its a long season, Antetokounmpo said..dddddddddddd It doesnt matter for me. The only thing that matters to me is getting the win. We play them in two days so I think (Kidd) made a good decision sitting me in the fourth quarter because weve got to get the win in two days. Its a must-win game again.For Brooklyn, the third quarter woes continue.At the end of the day its going to continue being that way if we dont play hard enough and if guys dont come out with the right energy, Kilpatrick said.TIP-INSBucks: Kidd believes Antetokounmpo is just beginning to show his potential. Hes only 21 years old, Kidd said. Thats the most underrated thing about him. Hes 21 years old doing a lot of things that a lot of us cant do. I think thats special and I think that is overlooked a lot of times. ... Steve Novak and Khris Middleton were inactive.Nets: Coach Kenny Atkinson said the team is going to build up Rondae Hollis-Jeffersons minutes after an ankle injury. ... Jeremy Lin (strained left hamstring) and Caris LeVert (left foot rehab) were inactive.SPEAKING THE TRUTHTwo days after Paul Pierce played his final game in Brooklyn, Kidd was asked how would remember a long-time adversary and later a player he coached.I think hes a true pro, a true warrior and a champion, Kidd said. Being able to coach him, to see his work ethic at a very high level. (He) respects the game and is a true vet. As a player whos played against him, he is not afraid of having the ball late in the game. He always wanted to deliver that winning shot.COURTSIDE CELEBRITIESFormer President Bill Clinton was courtside with Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry. New York Giants safety Landon Collins and running back Bobby Rainey were also on hand at Barclays Center.UP NEXTBucks: Host Brooklyn on Saturday.Nets: Visit Milwaukee on Saturday. ' ' '