With Paul Pierce out, Alan Anderson will draw the start at small forward vs. Nuggets

Paul Pierce will miss the next two to four weeks with a bone fracture in his shooting hand. With Pierce out, the question soon became, "Who will Jason Kidd turn to at the small forward position?" The natural answer seemed to be Alan Anderson, who started at small forward against the Memphis Grizzlies. Though, some wondered if maybe Mirza Teletovic, who has been playing well over the last week-plus, could step in and be the stretch-three for the Nets.

Today, though, we got our answer...for now:

Alan Anderson will be starting at 3 tonight for the Nets.

— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) December 3, 2013

Mike Mazzeo has a bit of an explanation as to "why" Anderson will draw the start:

Anderson will be the starter at small forward tonight. Lit Kidd's #NYK squad up for 35 points last season. Kidd wanted to bring him in #Nets

— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzESPN) December 3, 2013

No surprise, as Mazzeo notes, that Kidd was, and is, a fan of Anderson's, who in two starts this season is averaging 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 31 minutes per game. Off the bench, his per-minute production has been greater, but his efficiency is way down in his role as a reserve. Mostly because he gets better looks when he's not the featured stretch-wing, while getting fewer touches as a starter.

Again, Anderson has been named tonight's starter against the Denver Nuggets, though we can certainly see Kidd change up his game-plan depending on matchups or hot-hand-riding over the next two to four weeks.