Kobe Bryant needs 38 points for the scoring title Thursday night. (Getty Images)
ESPN reports that Kobe Bryant will play in the Lakers' regular-season finale Thursday night with the scoring title on the line. 

Bryant will make his final decision to play or not Thursday at shootaround and already has said that capturing the third scoring title of his career in this, his 16th season, was "not very important." But Bryant also seemed to indicate that he did not plan on sitting out any more games after returning to the lineup last week after a seven-game, 14-day long absence because of a left shin injury.

"I'm not on vacation," Bryant told reporters in San Antonio after his first game back in the lineup. "I was hurt. If I'm healthy, I play."

via Los Angeles Lakers may rest all starters but Kobe Bryant in regular-season finale against Sacramento Kings - ESPN Los Angeles.

After Kevin Durant dropped 32 on the Nuggets in a loss, Bryant will need 38 to beat out the young gunslinger from Oklahoma City to capture the title.

The debate is whether Bryant actually cares about the scoring title, and if he doesn't why he would play in the final Lakers game. Though Bryant had missed time this month due to a shin injury, he looked right as rain in a win over the Thunder on Sunday. Playing is either an indication of his obsessive work ethic and drive to win or an indication that winning the scoring title does matter to him, at least enough to make an effort.

So we should probably put the over/under on Kobe Bryant field goal attempts at 30 Thursday night. With the rest of the Lakers' starters sitting out or suspended in the case of Metta World Peace, Bryant's going to have all the offense to himself. 

It's not hubris, because Bryant legitimately prides himself on playing. It's just interesting that with the stakes as big as they are, and with his health issues this season, Bryant still refuses to sit. You have to admire the conviction of a man who believes he's not human.