The 1998–99 NBA season was the Lakers' 51st season in the National Basketball Association, and 39th in the city of Los Angeles. It was also the Lakers' final season at the Great Western Forum. During the off-season, the Lakers signed free agent Derek Harper, and re-acquired former Lakers center Travis Knight after one season with the Boston Celtics. After a lockout had cut the season to just 50 games, the Lakers played around .500 with a 6–6 start as head coach Del Harris was fired. After one game under interim Bill Bertka, the team hired former Laker Kurt Rambis as their new coach. The Lakers had signed free agent and rebounding specialist Dennis Rodman, who was well known for winning championships with the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls. However, after 23 games, Rodman was release