Baer Highlight Video

[hackeysack]

Somebody may have posted this at some point but I just came across this high school highlight video.



Exactly the same as watching him play for Iowa! Some here have speculated that the going will get tougher for him in the Big Ten and that teams will clamp down on him now that they have scouting video, but I'd argue that his skillset will be difficult to prepare for and defend. A lot of his highlights are a result of hustle, quickness (both defending and getting up shots), and/or getting into great position when the ball is not in his hands. And he has natural talent for finishing at the hoop.

 

[Mohawkeye]

Interesting. Thanks for posting. Lots of blocked shots and dunks, he was obviously pretty aggressive on both ends. Also some very nice passes and a few midrange jumpers. I wonder if we'll see more of those as he gets more comfortable. Really a fun player to watch.

 

[DanL53]

Well, let me be the first to say that Patrick McCaffery reminds me of Nicholas Baer.

 

[EduNeerHawk]

Well, let me be the first to say that Patrick McCaffery reminds me of Nicholas Baer.

Let me also say that's a stud HS Hudl BB vid....as stud as they come. He did everything in that vid except pop the popcorn and he can probably do that dang we'll too. This kid is a big talent. Great for Iowa. Tks for posting this vid.

 

[millhawk]

He's more than a hard nosed, smart, hard worker. The kid has game. The 3 spot is taken care of for the next 3 years.

 

[mstp1992]

Somebody may have posted this at some point but I just came across this high school highlight video.

View embedded media

Exactly the same as watching him play for Iowa! Some here have speculated that the going will get tougher for him in the Big Ten and that teams will clamp down on him now that they have scouting video, but I'd argue that his skillset will be difficult to prepare for and defend. A lot of his highlights are a result of hustle, quickness (both defending and getting up shots), and/or getting into great position when the ball is not in his hands. And he has natural talent for finishing at the hoop.

Not much to add to others' comments, but I saw a few blocked shots on the perimeter ala Uthoff that looked quite nice. Those mid-range jumpers just inside the 3 point line were really nice and shows why he's been able to take one step back and turn them into 3 point shots now. I believe he didn't shoot a 3 pointer in his high school career.
I have no illusions of Baer becoming the next Michael Jordan, but his skill set is quite impressive and his future is certainly bright with the Hawkeyes.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

Comparison has been made 100 times, but he reminds me so much of Bowen it is scary. Nothing flashy, just fundamentally sound with everything he does and always around the ball. He uses his body to create space and isn't afraid to put a up a shot when open. He is the kid you don't want to guard and hope doesn't guard you because he will contest everything and run you up and down the floor.

I like that Fran trusts him enough to put him in later in games, as he gives us another scoring from the perimeter, off the bounce or on the boards. Also a guy who can come in rested and apply defensive pressure.

 

[Mohawkeye]

Well, let me be the first to say that Patrick McCaffery reminds me of Nicholas Baer.

The conspiracy theorist in me thinks maybe they are the same kid and Fran invented the Baer identity for his son to get him on the court sooner.

 

[CanadaHawk]

Comparison has been made 100 times, but he reminds me so much of Bowen it is scary. Nothing flashy, just fundamentally sound with everything he does and always around the ball. He uses his body to create space and isn't afraid to put a up a shot when open. He is the kid you don't want to guard and hope doesn't guard you because he will contest everything and run you up and down the floor.

I like that Fran trusts him enough to put him later in games, as he gives us another scoring from the perimeter, off the bounce or on the boards. Also a guy who can come in rested and apply defensive pressure.

The comparison to Bowen is fine as the scrappy court aware player. But Ryan couldn't shoot outside of the lane. Purely on his agility from his background in tennis he made a minor career in the NBA. In contrast, the 3pter is an important shot for Baer. We'll see how his strength comes along. You don't want him to lose mobility just to be able to better guard the interior.

 

[Ihawkhoops]

I don't know, I guess being compared to someone who played in the NBA for 10 years would be alright with me. If you consider a 2nd round pick, 55th overall and a 10 year run in the league to be a 'minor career', then I guess your bar is set higher than mine. I think Bowen lasted longer than the last 5 ISU guys combined.

 

[EduNeerHawk]

The comparison to Bowen is fine as the scrappy court aware player. But Ryan couldn't shoot outside of the lane. Purely on his agility from his background in tennis he made a minor career in the NBA. In contrast, the 3pter is an important shot for Baer. We'll see how his strength comes along. You don't want him to lose mobility just to be able to better guard the interior.

Yes this so much...I too like the comparison to Ryan as I watch Baer but Ryan did not have the range that Nick has. Ryan was a bit taller but outside of outside shooting (+ Baer), every other skill is very similar.

What's so impressive with Baer's shot mid range or 3 pt is his opps to shoot are so limited because of PT yet like Vinny Johnson "the microwave", Nick lights it up fast and produces being a "bucket maker". And when he does miss a shot, it's not by much. That's just the kind of bench player any team needs. A player who can be productive across the stat line with a limited amount of minutes. I love his play. Just what this team needs coming off the bench.

 

[CanadaHawk]

Yes this so much...I too like the comparison to Ryan as I watch Baer but Ryan did not have the range that Nick has. Ryan was a bit taller but outside of outside shooting (+ Baer), every other skill is very similar.

What's so impressive with Baer's shot mid range or 3 pt is his opps to shoot are so limited because of PT yet like Vinny Johnson "the microwave", Nick lights it up fast and produces being a "bucket maker". And when he does miss a shot, it's not by much. That's just the kind of bench player any team needs. A player who can be productive across the stat line with a limited amount of minutes. I love his play. Just what this team needs coming off the bench.

Agreed. His similarity to Bowen makes me wonder if Baer participated in other sports in HS. But I think the secret of both players is that court awareness, that poise of being in the moment on the floor. For Baer, that extends to his shooting.

 

[MNHawk]

Well, let me be the first to say that Patrick McCaffery reminds me of Nicholas Baer.

In body only, based on what I saw on Saturday. In 3 years, maybe Patrick's game will resemble Baer but you never know. For now, Patrick has a ways to go - he's only a freshman.

 

[MNHawk]

Somebody may have posted this at some point but I just came across this high school highlight video.

View embedded media

Exactly the same as watching him play for Iowa! Some here have speculated that the going will get tougher for him in the Big Ten and that teams will clamp down on him now that they have scouting video, but I'd argue that his skillset will be difficult to prepare for and defend. A lot of his highlights are a result of hustle, quickness (both defending and getting up shots), and/or getting into great position when the ball is not in his hands. And he has natural talent for finishing at the hoop.

Thanks for posting! Definitely see that the kid had some game. Wonder how he looked in summer action against better competition just because its fun to try to figure out whose game may translate to the next level and whose won't - obviously many coaches may have missed the boat on Baer, considering how much he is already contributing.

 

[swiahawk]

Fun video. As impressive as he looks I can see why he got few, if any, D1 offers. He is very skinny. He shoots from his hips in this video. I am sure there were some coaches that were worried that he would get his shot blocked on a regular basis. I understand that Coach Speraw worked with him on getting a higher release point on his shot. That has made a big difference for this kid. With that adjustment he becomes a force on the offensive end to go along with other aspects of his game.

 

[jt91]

Fun video. As impressive as he looks I can see why he got few, if any, D1 offers. He is very skinny. He shoots from his hips in this video. I am sure there were some coaches that were worried that he would get his shot blocked on a regular basis. I understand that Coach Speraw worked with him on getting a higher release point on his shot. That has made a big difference for this kid. With that adjustment he becomes a force on the offensive end to go along with other aspects of his game.

All of those highlights are high school action from his Junior year. Nicholas was 16 years old. He's 19 now, and won't be 20 until the weekend of the Elite 8. The skill development and 25 pounds he put on in the past 3 years will hopefully be duplicated over the next 3. He's just scratching the surface. The Bowen comparisons are good in terms of defense, intelligence, hustle, size and athleticism. Nicholas has added range to his shot, and has made the transition from high school center to D1 SF amazingly well. With his work ethic, the sky is the limit.

Like Adam said to Eve, "Stand back, I don't know how big this is going to get!"

 

[Hawkmi]

The comparison to Bowen is fine as the scrappy court aware player. But Ryan couldn't shoot outside of the lane. Purely on his agility from his background in tennis he made a minor career in the NBA. In contrast, the 3pter is an important shot for Baer. We'll see how his strength comes along. You don't want him to lose mobility just to be able to better guard the interior.

The guy played in the League for 10 years. I would hardly call that a "Minor" NBA career.

 

[HawkRugged17]

The guy played in the League for 10 years. I would hardly call that a "Minor" NBA career.

 

[hexumhawk]

He is just a smart player and has an all round game. Glad he is getting minutes and has earned them and more. Kid just makes good plays and I don't cringe when he has the ball, that is a good sign.