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Ginobili helping Argentinian rookies after urging Spurs to sign them

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The San Antonio Spurs added a pair of Argentina national team members after Manu Ginobili, fairly well-known in that country himself, convinced them.

The 39-year-old strongly recommended Patricio Garino and Nicolas Laprovittola to Spurs management, which general manager R.C. Buford said was "huge" in swaying the team to take a flyer on them.

"We followed Pato during his time at (George Washington) and Nico during his time playing in Spain," Buford told Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News. "But I think Manu's relationship with them and the belief Manu has in them surely influenced our process."

The three represented Argentina together in the Rio Olympics, where they lost to Team USA in the quarterfinals. Now they're reunited in the NBA, suiting up for what the media in their homeland calls the "San Argento Spurs."

That the two younger men get to play with their country's greatest hooper makes the experience even better.

"It's a dream come true for us to be in the NBA, but even more to get to play with Manu," Garino said. "He's our hero, basically our dad, our role model. It's just an unbelievable experience."

Laprovittola added: "For Argentina, Manu is our Michael Jordan. Sharing our first step in the NBA with him is, yes, a dream come true."

Ginobili has been quite the host to the duo, picking them up from the airport, welcoming them into his home, providing them with food, and answering all their questions.

"I'm trying to make things easier for them," the 14-year vet said. "I really appreciate Nico and Pato, two young, hard-working, talented kids, and I really want to help them."

There's only one open spot on San Antonio's final roster, so the Spurs are unlikely to feature three Argentines entering the regular season. Garino is believed to have the edge, but he's competing against Laprovittola and three other players.

For now, the new additions are enjoying their time stateside with their role model.

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