Photo by Eric Molina

Keith Smart, the Warriors’ top assistant, is publicly playing the part of timid understudy as the team awaits the full-time return of head coach Don Nelson from a bout with pneumonia.

What Smart is doing in the locker room and on the court, however, might be proving that he is ready for a leading role.

He is widely considered the heir apparent to Nelson, though no one confirmed that verbiage is in writing.

FanNation

Don Nelson

Warriors coach Don Nelson has pneumonia and will not be with the team for today’s game against the Dallas Mavericks and Wednesday’s game at San Antonio.

He might miss Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, as well.

“He’s sick as a dog,” general manager Larry Riley said.

A team source said Nelson was tested for swine flu, and the Warriors are waiting for results. Assistant coach Keith Smart will take over as head coach until Nelson returns.

FanNation