Kobe compares energy in final game to Game 7 of NBA Finals

LOS ANGELES —€” The last time Kobe Bryant felt so much energy and emotion at Staples Center, there were considerable stakes.

It was Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals, and Bryant and the Lakers were looking to avenge their 2008 Finals loss to the Celtics. The crowd was palpably nervous. Fans were on the edge of their seats, unsure how to respond to each made basket, as if they were watching a scary movie and didn't want to jinx it, Bryant remembers.

There were no stakes Wednesday.

The Lakers, who need to keep their top-3 protected 2016 first-round draft pick, were long eliminated from playoff contention and assured the second-worst record in the league. Bryant's curtain call was never going to dictate how his legendary career is remembered, and he was always going to go out on his own terms — nothing else mattered.

Which made the intensity and passion from the Lakers faithful on Wednesday night that much more impressive, with Bryant claiming there was one difference between the crowds at the two most important games of his career: Joy.

"Tonight it was more festive," Bryant said following the Lakers' inexplicable 101-96 comeback win over the Utah Jazz. "There wasn't the pressure. It was more of a celebration. The energies are completely different, but still both intense. Just different forms of intensity."

The celebration started early, and only increased in intensity, eventually reaching its pinnacle when Bryant scored 60 points on 50 shots, hitting the go-ahead jumper in the most Kobe-ending possible.

Thousands of fans showed up to Staples Center in the morning, nearly 12 hours before tip-off, just to get a glimpse of the three massive Bryant murals plastered on the perimeter of building and sign giant thank-you cards.

The party continued into the afternoon, with the immediate area around Staples Center filling to the brim and spilling over into Chick Hearn Ct., and eventually clogging up L.A. Live. It was almost as if Southern California had moved Coachella from India to Downtown Los Angeles, only there was one performer: Kobe Bean Bryant.

"It was incredible," coach Byron Scott said of the spectacle of Wednesday. "I've never seen it, never been part of it, never witnessed anything like that."

Entering Staples Center was next to impossible. The already long lines were triple their normal size, and you couldn't help but stop and observe the die-hard fans who spent their hard-earned money -- or passed up on selling their tickets for five-to-10 times face value -- for one last chance to see the demigod that has ruled their lives for two decades play. It was as magical as it was absurd.

Inside the arena, black t-shirts with "Love" written in gold across the chest were draped over every seat. Upon entering the building, fans were given a commemorative Kobe yearbook, featuring countless memories and highlights. Fans who sat courtside were given a special swag bag, featuring three t-shirts, a Kobe hat, and a Kobe Bryant Robojam.

Staples Center can only seat upwards of 250 media members, yet 400-500 attended the game, and another 200-300 people were denied credential requests. The Lakers had to open up a storage room next to their locker room, placing in the neighborhood of 100 seats. It was completely packed.

The media coverage was similar to Finals or Conference Finals game, only it wasn't anything as close to as important. It was the regular-season finale between two lottery teams, featuring one of the 10 or 15 greatest players ever.

It was the epic retirement ceremony in a season full of them. By my count, there were 13 video montages honoring Bryant, but I might have missed a couple. Fans chanted "Ko-be!" and "M-V-P!" several times before warm-ups, and even more during the game.

Most amazing of all, though, is that Bryant lived up to all the hype surrounding his final game, delivering a performance for the ages. Fans got their money's worth and then some.

There was a point on Wednesday -- around the time Bryant got to the 40-point mark -- where no matter how many points he scored, or the outcome of the game, fans would've been satisfied. But Bryant kept going and going and going, far exceeding the expectations of even the most optimistic Lakers fans.

Lakers fans have been waiting for a vintage Bryant performance all season. He had had a few 30-point games, with his patented fadeaways and clutch shots at the forefront, but it took game No. 82 for Bryant to return to normal.

"It's almost like he kind of turned the clock [back] for one last time," Scott said.

The final score of Wednesday night's tilt meant nothing.

But it meant everything to Bryant, as it always has. He somehow mustered up every last ounce of energy and pride and love for the game he's given his all to, and the Lakers pulled off a stunning upset of the Jazz.

"I love the way that he was able to go out," Scott said. "It was a perfect finish."

One would've thought the Lakers had won the championship, and not their 17th game of the season, the way they celebrated afterward.

As the final buzzer sounded, purple-and-gold confetti and balloons descended from the rafters. Bryant embraced his family, current and former teammates, friends and celebrities, and finally addressed the crowd in arguably the most anticipated moment of the night.

"You can't write something better than this," Bryant said.

Bryant ended things on his terms, with his best offensive performance in several years. He couldn't have gone out on a better  —€” or louder —€” note, and he knows it.

Jovan Buha covers the NBA for FOX Sports. Follow him on Twitter: @jovanbuha.