As we’re near the fourth-year anniversary of the Raptors’ historic play-off run, here’s a nice memory. It’s the Eastern Conference Finals series with the Milwaukee Bucks. Game 5, middle of the fourth quarter. It’s been a battle. The series is tied two games apiece, so each team is desperate. The Bucks have a few seven-footers who can shoot, plus a 6’-11” player who can dribble like a point guard. The Raptors have two guards who stand a foot shorter. But it’s not height that’s the mismatch in this game. It’s defence. This is from the league’s actual notes from the midpoint of that crucial quarter: “They’ve held the Bucks to six points in almost six minutes of play.”

In other words, the Raptors were holding an elite group of professionals to a scoring rate normally seen in a contest between fourth-graders. There were many stories that led to the Raptors having a six-hour parade past several million fans last June, but fourth-quarter defence was THE story.

Across all sports, you see champions that emphasize scoring, but you almost never see a champion that is weak defensively. The same is true in investing: winners focus on delivering up-capture and reducing down-capture.

At Sun Life Global Investments, we look for sub-advisors that are strong on both sides of the ball – offence and defence. We think advisors should learn more about the Sun Life MFS Funds. And consider how their clients could benefit from the process. While we don’t expect a parade to follow the funds immediately, we’d like to build on their well-informed fan base. Is it offence or defence that wins? Maybe you don’t have to choose.


This commentary contains information in summary form for your convenience, published by Sun Life Global Investments (Canada) Inc. Although this commentary has been prepared from sources believed to be reliable, Sun Life Global Investments (Canada) Inc. cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness and is intended to provide you with general information and should not be construed as providing specific individual financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily the opinions of Sun Life Global Investments (Canada) Inc. Please note, any future or forward looking statements contained in this blog are speculative in nature and cannot be relied upon. There is no guarantee that these events will occur or in the manner speculated. Please speak with your professional advisors before acting on any information contained in this blog.

© Sun Life Global Investments (Canada) Inc., 2020. Sun Life Global Investments (Canada) Inc. is a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies.