It's true that coach Gregg Popovich made a five-hour run across Eastern Europe to pay a recruiting visit to new Spurs center Rasho Nesterovic.

But perhaps the Spurs owe a special vote of thanks to guard Manu Ginobili for the signing of Nesterovic to a six-year contract to fill in for the retired David Robinson.

"I mostly talked to Manu and his knowledge (of the situation) played a big part in my decision," said Nesterovic during a transatlantic telephone call Thursday afternoon.

"He said it was a lot like the team we played on in Italy," Nesterovic said of the Virtus Bologna team. "There is a lot of discipline in San Antonio, on the court and off, and that is needed for a championship team."

Nesterovic played five years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but they were never able to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs. The 7-foot native of Slovenia said his "dream" has been to win an NBA title.

"I think the chances are better in San Antonio than anywhere else," he said. "I talked to Pop and I believe things will work out well for me there."