NBA scouts flocked to the Knicks’ seven preseason games to see how the Phil Jackson/Derek Fisher triangle offense functioned.

Asked how it looked after a low-scoring contest, one scout remarked: “It’s great if you have very good players.’’

And players who understand the system. It’s not often a club goes into the opener with so many players admitting they’re still learning the offense. As such, the Knicks enter one of their most unpredictable seasons in ages with a new coach, new president, new offense, new vision and an old owner no longer involved with the basketball operations.

Over the past few years, James Dolan regularly met with the head coach after games. That’s not happening any more, not with the Zen Master being paid $60 million to be in full control. Dolan has admitted his past sins and perhaps this softer vibe and Fisher’s infectious enthusiasm will rub off.

Associate coach Kurt Rambis called Fisher “a perfectionist’’ and said he had a solid first month.

“He’s doing a great job and absorbing as much information and experience as possible,’’ Rambis told The Post. “He’s already grown leaps and bounds, getting more comfortable with everything.’’

Expectations aren’t what they were in 2013-2014 when the Knicks were coming off a 54-28 campaign and talking title. Now the organization will be just happy to slide into the playoffs as one of the eight Eastern Conference teams and hope to add a couple of powerful free agents with their salary-cap space this summer.

The playoffs are no lock and may need a club like the Hawks or Nets to suffer injuries and fall back.

“I’m ready to get it going,’’ Carmelo Anthony said Sunday. “This is the moment I’ve been preparing [for] all offseason. We made a lot of strides, especially dealing with not knowing the lineups, new system starting fresh. We came a long way from first day at West Point to now.’’

Starting five

1. How do Knicks survive the triangle’s trials and tribulations?

The old-time offense focused on cutting, passing and moving smartly without the ball may not be “rocket science,’’ as Jackson says, but is not run by any NBA team other than the Knicks. Why not? You need a full commitment to it by the organization top to bottom. There were plenty of growing pains during preseason when players resorted to one-on-one ball, but the good news for the Knicks is turnovers decreased as the seven-game exhibition schedule rolled on. But the comment of camp came from struggling

J.R. Smith, who said it will take “a few months.’’ Scouts also wonder how the Knicks will adjust to a midseason trade, with new players having to learn it all over again. It’s why Jackson’s Bulls made few in-season trades.

2. Will Carmelo remain patient if Knicks flounder?

Anthony’s lost weight and also dropped his morbid, panicky attitude that surfaced last November when the club got off to a bad start. Anthony has said repeatedly he will remain “patient,’’ but he also said he does not want to go through another 37-win season after he missed the playoffs for the first time. Anthony must be the leader this season with Tyson Chandler departed, and so far, so good. He said he believes in the new offensive system and averaged 18.6 points a game and 25 minutes in preseason. But he admits he “has no choice’. Without free agency hanging over his head and a five-year commitment to the organization, Anthony figures to remain more upbeat.

3. Have the Knicks improved their perimeter defense?

The lasting image of last season’s moribund Knicks was a quick opposing point guard slashing into the lane, past Raymond Felton, the Knicks collapsing on him. That would trigger a series of passes resulting in a wide open 3-point shot from the corner while former coach Mike Woodson watched with a pained look. They were ranked 19th in opponent field-goal percentage (45.8). Fisher is emphatic the Knicks’ defensive philosophy features “no switching’’ on pick-and-rolls as if “switching’’ is a dirty word from the Woodson era. Fisher also is trying to seal off the middle and force ballhandlers to the outer court. It often starts at the top and point guards Jose Calderon, Shane Larkin and Pablo Prigioni aren’t known as stout on-ball defenders. Somewhere, Woody is smiling.

4. Will J.R. Smith’s head explode?

Smith is overthinking the triangle, perhaps even panicking. That and back spasms led to a poor preseason (34 percent shooting) back in his role off the bench. When Smith said he’s getting open looks early in the shot clock and doesn’t know what to do, he sounds like a confused man. Smith is best in a freelance offense, firing away with his dangerous jumper. Fisher said Smith soon will get the hang of the triangle because it’s a natural way to play basketball. Don’t be so sure. Smith has an opt-out clause after this season and maybe it is best to trade him with the shooting-guard logjam.

5. Who will emerge as backup point guard?

Larkin got the bulk of the preseason minutes behind Calderon, but Fisher claimed he wanted to give Barry Larkin’s son seasoning after a wasted rookie year in Dallas. Fisher said veteran Prigioni is in the mix, but wants to save him for the long road after he spent much of the summer with the Argentine national team. Fisher desperately wants Larkin to win the job because of his change-of-pace blinding speed, but he is turnover-prone. Prigioni’s guilty of being too much like Calderon.

Three bold predictions

1. Several Knicks have said rookie Derek Fisher conducts himself as if he has been coaching for years. With Kurt Rambis and Jim Cleamons by his side and Phil Jackson to lean on, Fisher will be just fine navigating the 82-game season and the final minutes of close games.

2. Rookie Cleanthony Early won’t make rotation at the outset but will get some seasoning in D-League contests for the new Westchester franchise angling to sell tickets.

3. Samuel Dalembert will continue to show recent durability, patrol center and be the rim-protecting intimidator Tyson Chandler was billed as but didn’t deliver often enough, partly because of various ailments.

Buzzer beaters

Newcomer to watch

Quincy Acy — and his beard — was a wonder of the preseason, threatening to start at power forward and earning a definite spot in the rotation with energy, defense and enough offense. He has made Cleanthony Early an afterthought.

Most important coaching decision

Amar’e Stoudemire emerged in the final 20 games last season only after being elevated into the starting lineup at power forward. Fisher so far doesn’t see the finally fit Stoudemire fitting in the starting five and his handling of the six-time All-Star’s minutes and role loom large.

Good days to come

As long as the Knicks are competitive and compelling this season, there’s no reason Fisher-Jackson-Melo-Calderon can’t recruit some important free agents this summer with their cap space. Marc Gasol, a close compadre of Calderon, would look nice in blue-and-orange. And the league’s soon-to-be-rising salary cap in 2016 also creates hope.

Bad days ahead

Already injured Andrea Bargnani is in the last year of his contract and perhaps should start thinking of his second career in Europe. Bargnani is well behind in learning the triangle and one Toronto columnist pointed out he has trouble walking and thinking at the same time.

Don’t be surprised if…

Iman Shumpert, whose smile this preseason has been etched on him like a tattoo, returns to the form of his joyous rookie season. It’s desperately needed.

Story that won’t go away

The Knicks’ persistent striving to master the triangle offense and avoid the dullard isolation offense Woodson rode with Anthony and Co. Signs are apparent there will be no mastery before Christmas.

Five games to watch

Oct. 30 at Cleveland

The season opener for the Cavaliers marking LeBron James’ debut is about as tough as it gets for a Knicks club playing the second night of a back-to-back. But what would an upset mean?

Dec. 2 vs. Nets

It’s bragging rights as Brooklyn plays Garden for first time.

Dec. 18 at Chicago

Carmelo Anthony should get booed off the court at United Center for blowing off the Windy City last July.

Feb. 22 vs. Cleveland

Sunday matinee as LeBron and Cavaliers visit MSG in final meeting before potential 1-vs.-8 first-round playoff battle.

April 13 at Atlanta

Not to get too far ahead, but this could be the battle for the eighth seed in the Knicks’ second-to-last game.

Where they’ll finish

42-40. Eighth in the East, lose in first round.

Because of the triangle offense and better coaching, Carmelo Anthony will be much better in final two minutes where so many games were lost last season.