GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS Johnson contributes experience to team

Although he doesn't play much, the 16-year veteran provides valuable advice.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Avery Johnson sits forward in his seat on the Golden State sideline, his right elbow planted firmly on his thigh and his right hand in a fist on his chin. He is concentrating harder than most of his teammates. He grimaces, then later he hops up and cheers.
The 5-foot-11 guard, who is in his 16th NBA season, seldom plays for the Warriors. When he does, it's only for a few minutes. Still, he is one of the most valuable members of a franchise that needs all the veteran leadership it can get.
"All the coaches like to pick his brain on little things," second-year Warriors coach Eric Musselman said. "He's got a great command of knowing the strengths and weaknesses of his teammates."
With his vast experience and strong communication skills, Johnson has become a mentor for his teammates in addition to helping out the coaching staff. He's a captain and they all say he'll make a great coach -- it's just a matter of when he decides to make the switch.
"I'm not sure whether I'm in the stretch but I'm definitely in the last lap, and I'm getting close to the stretch," Johnson said.
Potential
Whatever Johnson decides to do, his former coach at Southern University has no doubt he'll be great at it.
"He'll make a fine anything. I used to tell my wife, 'This is the next Martin Luther King, right here,"' said Ben Jobe, who coached Johnson two years at Southern. "He's a God-sent person and he's always been. He could be president of the United States, president of a corporation or president of the NBA. Avery is by far the best player I've ever coached. He is by far the smartest player I've ever coached."
Johnson, 38, has been a natural leader all along -- since he was a child on the playground.
Playing background
As a player, Johnson averaged double figures in scoring in five straight seasons, starting in 1993-94 during his first stint with Golden State, which hasn't been back to the playoffs in the nine years since. His best season came the following year in San Antonio, where he averaged 13.4 points and 8.2 assists.
He returned to the Warriors last August in a nine-player trade that also brought Nick Van Exel to Oakland and sent forward Antawn Jamison to Dallas. Johnson is a calming influence on Van Exel, known for his occasional outbursts.