Khris Middleton and Alec Burks to come to the Philippines for NBA Fit Week

A couple more NBA players have been confirmed to participate in the Pinoy version of NBA FIT Week, which aims to highlight the importance of healthy living through these three pillars: being active, eating healthy, and playing together.

Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks and Alec Burks of the Utah Jazz will be joining current NBA TV analyst Brian Shaw to kick off the festivities with the Gatorade NBA Training Center on July 29.

Middleton averaged 13.4 points, 4.4 rebs, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 steals in 79 games for Milwaukee this past season, numbers that netted him a $70M extension in the offseason.

Burks was limited to just 27 games this past season due to a shoulder injury that necessitated surgery, averaging 13.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3 assists. He said in the team website that he is "honored to have been asked" to come here and "be able to represent the Jazz for NBA Fit Week." He adds, "This is a great way to share the game of basketball and to give back to these elite athletes."

Set to take place at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong, the Gatorade NBA Training Center gathers elite instructors in the fields of basketball, fitness, conditioning, and nutrition to share the latest techniques and know-how to Filipino athletes and coaches.

This is the second-ever iteration of the event, with then-Trailblazers Robin Lopez and Wes Matthews accompanying then-ESPN NBA analyst Avery Johnson last year.

Aside from the Gatorade NBA Training Center, there will be a few more stuff lined up for NBA FIT Week, including a NBA Cares activity with Project Pearls in Bocaue, Bulacan, as well as the NBA FIT Adi Nation Skills Camp for 9-13 y/o varsity kids at the end of the month.

The Northwest Division NBA Preview

Denver Nuggets - 38-28 record last season. 6th seed in the playoffs. Lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.

Ideal Rotation: Ty Lawson, Andre Iguodala, Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried, Kosta Koufos / Andre Miller, Corey Brewer, Wilson Chandler, JaVale McGee, Timofey Mozgov

Storyline/s: Their depth got an upgrade with the acquisition of Iguodala as part of their participation in the Dwight Howard deal. With the depth, who is the go-to-guy when the situation amounts itself to?

X-Factor/s: Can JaVale unlock his true potential under George Karl? A nation on the other side of the Pacific anticipates while the paperwork for his naturalization is being undertaken.

Prognosis: Exiting the first round of the playoffs.

Minnesota Timberwolves - 26-40 record last season. Missed the playoffs.

Ideal Rotation: Ricky Rubio, Brandon Roy, Andrei Kirilenko, Derrick Williams, Kevin Love / Luke Ridnour, Alexei Shved, Chase Budinger, Dante Cunningham, Nikola Pekovic, JJ Barea

Storyline/s: Kevin Love has made it known that this team needs to contend in the next few seasons. That, and the waiting for Ricky Rubio to return to the court.

X-Factor/s: How much does Brandon Roy have left in the tank? And how much does that knee have left in it?

Prognosis: Missing the playoffs.

Oklahoma City Thunder - 47-19 record last season. Division Champions. Conference Champions. Lost to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.

Ideal Rotation: Russell Westbrook, Kevin Martin, Kevin Durant, Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins / Eric Maynor, Thabo Sefolosha, Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones III, Nick Collison, Reggie Jackson

Storyline/s: They were schooled by Miami in the finals. Humbled, yet undaunted, their quest remains in returning to that destination and finish what was started. That was until Sam Presti pulled off the James Harden trade.

X-Factor/s: All eyes now on Kevin Martin as he steps into Harden's shoes. Eric Maynor returns after rehabbing from his injury.

Prognosis: Division Champions. Conference Champions. Exiting in the NBA Finals.

Portland Trailblazers - 28-38 record last season. Missed the playoffs.

Ideal Rotation: Damian Lillard, Wesley Matthews, Nic Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge, JJ Hickson / Ronnie Price, Sasha Pavlovic, Victor Claver, Meyers Leonard

Storyline/s: The rebuilding process has begun, with the centerpiece on Aldridge. The keys to the offense has been handed to a rookie point guard. Terry Stotts has taken over.

X-Factor/s: Wes is expected to do more this season. Nic Batum got himselft a nice contract, and with such, much is expected.

Prognosis: Missing the playoffs.

Utah Jazz - 36-30 record last season. 8th seed in the playoffs. Lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.

Ideal Rotation: Mo Williams, Gordon Hayward, Marvin Williams, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson / Jamaal Tinsley, Randy Foye, Alec Burks, Enes Kanter, Derrick Favors

Storyline/s: Ty Corbin remakes the backcourt, adding Mo and Randy to a potent frontcourt with All-Star caliber players. Will it be enough to stave off others who want that final slot that went to them last season?

X-Factor/s: The pressure is off Marvin Williams now, the pressure of having to live being Atlanta's 2nd overall selection in a draft that featured stud point guards in Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

Prognosis: Missing the playoffs.