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His presence single-handedly turns this game from a potential loss to a probable win and it could set the Spurs up to have a realistic chance at winning tomorrow's game, which otherwise had blowout written all over it, with the lack of ball handling/scoring/energy that they'd have had. It probably would have taken extended minutes and almost every bit of energy Ginobili and Duncan had to drag this team to a victory tonight.
Even though Parker will probably only play 15-20 minutes and probably won't make much of a statistical impact on the game, his mere presence, his ability to handle the ball, create his own shot and occasionally create for others, gives the Spurs another perimeter player that has to be accounted for by the defense. It allows Ginobili's and to a lesser extent, Duncan's minutes, to be managed and for them to not have to expend quite as much energy when on the court. Plus, it gives Parker more time to get in shape/rhythm before the playoffs.
As for Temple starting, I assume he got the nod over Bogans because he's a better ball handler and the Spurs don't want Ginobili to have to handle the ball on every play, even if it is for only about seven minutes until they get into the rotation.
Not only does Temple have no chance at being in the playoff rotation, but if the Spurs are healthy, he more than likely won't even be active, nor should he be. Other than deciding which of the three guards should come off the bench, everything else is cut and dried at this point.
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