Steve Kerr to Start Klay Thompson, James Harden in NBA All-Star Game

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr will represent the Western Conference at the 2015 NBA All-Star Game this Sunday on the strength of his squad's 42-9 record.

After the Warriors' 94-91 victory in Minnesota on Wednesday, Kerr revealed his plans for the starting lineup he'll deploy for the upcoming exhibition at Madison Square Garden, via the San Francisco Chronicle's Rusty Simmons:

Shooting guard Klay Thompson comprises half of Golden State's "Splash Brothers" backcourt, which also features another All-Star starter in Stephen Curry. That dynamic duo will team with NBA MVP candidate James Harden of the Houston Rockets, creating a lethal perimeter trio for the West.

Simmons had Thompson's thoughts on starting, with the guard saying "I’m going to try to get as much rest as possible this week, but that’s going to be one awesome moment to start the ASG."

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News praised Kerr's decision:

NBA All-Star contests tend to be bereft of defense, but it will be fascinating to watch the West's unique lineup match up with the East.

Memphis Grizzlies big man Marc Gasol is also starting on the Western Conference side, though New Orleans Pelicans phenom Anthony Davis will not participate in the game due to a right shoulder sprain suffered Saturday against Chicago. The NBA officially named Dirk Nowitzki as Davis' replacement, per Adi Joseph of USA Today.

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Atlanta Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer has four of his own players to work with on the East squad, though none of them are in the starting five. The East is on the smaller side as well, with Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James at forward and Pau Gasol at center.

East guards Kyle Lowry and John Wall will have their hands full with Curry and Thompson, who already have an abundance of built-in chemistry.

That will likely leave James to mark up Harden more often, which would be an outstanding one-on-one battle to watch.

Kerr's strategy just may give the West the edge in the All-Star Game, but the perceived inferiority of the East ought to drive Budenholzer's side to keep things close.

NBA All-Star roster information courtesy of NBA.com.