CHASKA, Minn. -- Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin were a big part of the Ryder Cups opening ceremony on Thursday, each of them serving as a reminder that while this competition may be fierce, it should be conducted with both honor and integrity. There are some things, they pointed out, that are bigger than golf. Nicklaus conceding a 2-foot putt to Jacklin at Royal Birkdale in 1969 -- ending the match in a tie when a miss would have given the United States the Ryder Cup outright -- is now considered one of the most important moments in the history of the event.While this is a nice reminder, and perhaps an important lesson we should always keep in the back of our minds, let us now offer a few words in praise of Ryder Cup trash talk.Just because the two teams agree to be friends afterward does not mean they cant exchange some friendly barbs in the buildup to the event. It has become increasingly absurd when people try to shame the players into acting like boring robots. The Ryder Cup is one of the best events in sports specifically because it can get a little heated, specifically because its not just a clash of personalities but also a clash of cultures.Englands Danny Willett found himself on the business end of some of that shaming this week after his brother, Peter, penned an article for National Club Golfer that mocked American fans as fat, stupid, greedy, classless bastards. Willett and European captain Darren Clarke repeatedly mentioned how disappointed they were with the column and that it did not represent the views of Team Europe. They didnt want to give American fans the wrong idea and apologized repeatedly. The controversy, silly as it was, even appeared to play a role in Clarkes decision to sit Willett for the Friday morning session of foursomes.Frankly, I wish Willett hadnt apologized. I wish hed fully embraced the role of Ryder Cup villain. Ian Poulter wouldnt have apologized. Patrick Reed wouldnt have apologized. I dont think, for a second, that Seve Ballesteros would have apologized either. They would have soaked up the negative energy and produced some amazing golf. Willett certainly wasnt shy about taking a little dig at Jordan Spieth in April, retweeting a photo of Spieth looking shell-shocked during the green jacket ceremony in Butler Cabin after the Masters, so I wish hed just own it.Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson have learned to own it over the years. Mickelson got in a clever dig at McIlroy and Graham McDowell in 2014 when he mentioned before the start of competition that one of Team USAs strengths was we dont litigate against one another, an obvious reference to a legal dispute between McIlroy and McDowell after their management company dissolved. And McIlroy couldnt resist throwing a barb at Team USA this time around after he was asked about captain Davis Love IIIs comment this was the best American team ever assembled. Definitely assembled the best task force ever, thats for sure, he said.No one blinks an eye in football or basketball when teams goad one another or try to get under one anothers skin. It has become part of the buildup to every NBA Finals and every Super Bowl, but when it comes to golf, its often seen as an ungentlemanly act, an affront to the gracious spirit of the game.Thats nonsense. The Ryder Cup has always been at its best when the competition has gotten a little heated, the celebrations a little too rowdy, like when the United States went bonkers and ran on the green after Justin Leonards putt in 1999, or when the Europeans were dancing in a conga line around the 18th green after they won the Ryder Cup on U.S. soil for the first time in 1987 at Muirfield Village.Weve talked a lot this week about how gracious Arnold Palmer was, how he made everyone feel loved when in his presence, but there is another side to Palmer that was an important part of his legacy too: He was a relentless competitor who wasnt afraid of anyone in his prime. In 1963, Palmer was both the captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team and a participant, and he was so confident in his squad, he told the press before the tournament: This team would beat the rest of the world combined. He was probably right. The United States went on and won 23-9.So bring on the trash talk. Dial up the intensity. That too can be a tribute to Palmer.Shake hands when its over, and then start crafting a few barbs for 2018. Cheap Asics Shoes Sale .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. Asics Shoes Sale Online . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. The 21-year-old has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in 24 games with the American Hockey Leagues Oklahoma City Barons this season. http://www.cheapasics.us/ . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. Asics Shoes Clearance Sale . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. Cheap Asics Shoes Online . -- Derrick Rose shook off poor shooting early to hit clutch shots late and Carlos Boozer had 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 104-95 preseason victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. RUSTON, La. -- Erik McCree tied his career-best with 33 points and pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds to lead Louisiana Tech to a dominating 88-59 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday night.McCree was 4 of 5 from beyond the arc and finished with 10-of-14 shooting from the floor. He also made 9 of 11 free throw attempts.Louisiana Tech (4-3) made 30 of 54 field goal attempts while limiting the Lions to 22-of-65 shooting. The Bulldogs also had 13 blocked shots with Joniah White slapping back five and Jyllan Washington rejecting four.dddddddddddd McCree also blocked three shots.DaQuan Bracey was 6 of 10 from the floor for a career-best 14 points and Omar Sherman chipped in 12 for the Bulldogs.Louisiana Tech started fast and led 45-27 at the break. The Bulldogs pushed that to 82-50 at the 3:48 mark.Eddy Polanco led Southeastern Louisiana (5-4) with 12 points and George Brock added 11. ' ' '