NASHVILLE — A hallmark of the best teams in sports is making sure the top players are not above criticism. It’s no secret the Memphis Grizzlies have championship aspirations, and part of that process includes tough, constructive conversations.

Ja Morant and Desmond Bane are one of the NBA’s most prolific scoring and playmaking backcourts, but Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins is challenging them to reach the next level. Specifically, he has had conversations with Morant and Bane about how Memphis needs them to become better defenders.

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“It’s just brutal honesty with those guys,” Jenkins said. “(Morant and Bane) obviously carry a big responsibility on the offensive side for us.

“They have seen enough film over the years. It’s just sometimes having that honest conversation about where we are going now. If we’re going to propel this team moving forward, we’re going to ask everyone to be on the same page with a collective style on the offensive side. We need the same thing on the defensive side.”

Building a top NBA defense

Jenkins used the words more, better and sacrifice to describe what he wants to see not just from Morant and Bane, but the defense as a whole.

Memphis has been one of the NBA’s top defenses in Jenkins’ first five years Through the first two days of training camp in Nashville, Jenkins said the defensive intensity has been noticeable.

Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart were described as the "anchors" on defense. That's fitting, considering they have accounted for Defensive Player of the Year awards in two of the three past seasons.

Memphis wants to make rookie first-round draft pick Zach Edey an anchor, too. In the projected starting lineup, that leaves Morant and Bane. And if those two can match the effort and intensity of the three others, expect another big defensive season in Memphis. That's the goal.

"I think we’re going to be at the top (defensively) for sure," Smart said. "I don’t know exactly where at the top but we’re definitely going to be there."

Ja Morant and Desmond Bane defensive outlook

Morant showed signs of improvement as a defender last season in a small sample size, and Bane has progressively taken on tougher assignments.

The Grizzlies will have Smart to guard top perimeter options, but many teams in the Western Conference have multiple guard and wings capable of scoring 30 on any given night.

That’s why Jenkins needs Morant and Bane to bring the defensive tenacity. Those conversations have gone well so far, according to Bane.

“I love it,” Bane said. “We’re at a point in our career where there’s no need to sugarcoat anything. We’re trying to do something special and it’s not easy. As leaders, players (and) coaches, just be straightforward.”

Bane has often talked about the need to be a top-level conditioned athlete to play at an elite level on both ends. Last season, the shooting guard took on a bigger usage role offensively.

With Morant back healthy, Bane believes he can become a bigger defensive contributor.

“Just taking a little bit of weight off my shoulders on the offensive end will give me more energy to do other things on the floor,” Bane said. “And defense is top of the list.”

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Grizzlies need Ja Morant, Desmond Bane to be better on defense