Fifty years ago, the Knicks embarked on a campaign that netted them their first NBA championship. Three years later, in 1973, the Knicks added a second title.

There hasn’t been another since — a championship drought expected to extend to 47 years by spring.

The bar for this iconic brand has been set so low in this era that its loyal fans who still pack the Garden would be content if their team is still in the thick of a playoff race in March. The Knicks have missed the playoffs six straight years — out of contention by March 1 the last five.

Last season, the Knicks hit rock bottom, posting a league-worst 17-65 mark, tied for the franchise’s worst season. The tank-fest ultimately netted the No. 3 pick, RJ Barrett, whose every move will be dissected in his rookie year because he stands as their best hope of having a future star.

After an uninspiring summer in which president Steve Mills signed seven B-to-C-level free agents with their league-high cap space, the Knicks don’t look ready to break the playoff drought — let alone any title drought. The preseason ended with a dreary 1-3 mark in which they lost at home to NBA dregs Washington and Atlanta.

Their modest, Kevin Durant-less free-agent haul reeks of guys who would have been left unprotected in an expansion draft.

“I don’t have a gauge or number, but I do think this team can be a lot better,’’ Knicks coach David Fizdale said. “I just think we got a good mix of talented players. The guys all add a different skill set that we didn’t have before. We added more shooting, couple more playmakers, we got some guys that can post. We got a guy or two that’s done it in the playoffs, which is a really valuable asset. That’s why I feel like this team is maybe further ahead than last year’s team.’’

Not exactly a gaudy prediction, but there are lots of unknowns in incorporating nine new faces.

“We’re building,’’ said Julius Randle, the marquee signing. “It’s going to take time, but I like where we’re going. We just have to have patience. The process is going to take time but we’re going to get there.’’

Starting Five

Is the Knicks three-headed point-guard monster just beginning?

The four-game preseason didn’t clear much up as the trio of point guards — Dennis Smith Jr., Frank Ntilikina and free-agent addition Elfrid Payton — combined to shoot 14 of 58. If Fizdale wants to win now and isn’t still stuck in player-development mode, Payton would get the call. But no matter whom Fizdale chooses as the opening-night starter, it may mean nothing. Fizdale’s call on who finishes games is as important. The first 20 games could be a revolving door. The three candidates excel at different things, though shooting is not a strength of any of them. Smith’s preseason was brutal, but the franchise is keen on developing him. In a league of scoring point guards, the lack of points from this position is a concern. However, with defense becoming the Knicks’ top priority, Payton and Ntilikina have the clear edge over Smith. Payton is the most accomplished — a good playmaker, penetrator and defender. Ntilkina is the best defender of the bunch, but doesn’t get to the basket to create. All three have been injury-prone, so minutes could sort themselves out that way.



Will this be the season of Barrett?

If RJ Barrett’s rookie year suggests the 6-foot-7 former Duke lefty sniper is destined for stardom, the season could be stamped a success even without the Knicks reaching 30 wins. The No. 3 pick in the draft racked up smooth numbers in preseason (15.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists in a whopping 37.4 minutes per game) and Fizdale didn’t want to take him off the court. Let’s hope the coach doesn’t burn him out too quickly. After a rocky summer league, Barrett is showing to be a quick learner who can help a team even if he’s not shooting well from deep. He does almost everything well. He moves smartly without the ball, finds the open man, is strong and tall enough to barrel to the hoop to make up for lack of explosiveness, and he rebounds and defends. The Canadian also has embraced being a transplanted New Yorker with roots in the outer boroughs — his mother is from Brooklyn, his father played at St. John’s.

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If the Knicks are out of the race by Dec. 1 and bumbling toward a 20-win season, the Knicks coach may not survive. Fizdale, who has projected a more serious demeanor this fall, has one year remaining on a three-year contract. Usually an extension would be in order after the campaign to avoid lame-duck status. A 30-win season with Barrett producing and solid development from second-year men Kevin Knox II and Mitchell Robinson should spark extension talks. Fizdale is a wizard at motivating his players, but a lack of creativity on last-minute possessions already surfaced in the preseason finale. He has installed a pressure defense and promised a more complicated offensive scheme. Fizdale was a superstar assistant coach, but the jury is still out as the head man after failing to survive two seasons in Memphis.

What will constitute sophomore success for Knox/Mitchell Robinson?

Knox, their 2018 lottery pick, is in a new role, coming off the bench as Marcus Morris’ backup. He didn’t look relaxed in preseason, shooting just 37.9%. His rookie season was a roller coaster. Now 20, Knox has more definition in his upper body — which should help on inside power moves. Fizdale has already cited Knox’s improved defensive awareness, but he has to become a knockdown outside shooter. Meanwhile, Robinson was so impressive as a project rookie, his encore season could be a letdown. The 7-footer — a fierce shot-blocker who gets his points on agile alley-oops and putbacks — looks to have the same arsenal as his rookie season. There’s no evidence Robinson has gained a reliable midrange jumper. His compatibility with an inside force like Randle could be an issue.

Will there be 48 minutes of hell?

Fizdale doesn’t want to classify the new scheme as a backcourt press, but it’s similar. He wants to pressure the ball 94 feet and have the team’s identity be its wrecking-ball defense with a rugged frontline led by Taj Gibson, Bobby Portis and Morris. In two of the four preseason games, Fizdale was very pleased with the defensive effort and rotations. With a deep rotation, the players don’t have to conserve energy on defense. Last season, Fizdale’s team ranked 22nd in allowing 113.7 points per 100 possessions. That needs to improve if the Knicks are going to be relevant.

Buzzer beaters

Newcomer to watch: Julius Randle

In preseason, the $63 million man averaged 16.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists. He showed himself to be an inside-outside threat and handled the ball at the perimeter some as point forward. He looked like the club’s top candidate as a closer. The Knicks hope Randle is a budding All-Star as he’s their only free agent who is signed for more than one year guaranteed. His three-year deal still surprised NBA executives despite a career-high 21.4 scoring average last season.

Most important decision

If the Knicks look lottery-bound by winter, they should become the busiest team at February’s trade deadline, trying to stockpile draft picks. They likely will seek to unload their one-year signees. Morris, a steely versatile veteran, could have solid trade value for a playoff contender, but the Knicks may not want to call the Spurs, whom Morris spurned in the offseason. Ntilikina could be traded even after the team picked up his fourth-year option on Monday.

Good days to come

Barrett, 19, is going to fill the boxscore. Even if his 3-point shooting percentage is subpar, Barrett already has an NBA body and showed in preseason he can get to the rim as he did in college. If the Knicks are happy with their shooting-guard depth, Barrett could ultimately be a late-season answer at point guard. With Zion Williamson expected to miss the first two months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus, perhaps Barrett can make a case for the Rookie of the Year.



Bad days ahead

Smith, 21, faces extra scrutiny because he was netted in the Kristaps Porzingis trade. His preseason was marred by a back strain that forced him to miss the first two games, then he shot 3-of-17 in the last two while looking a step slow on defense. He also was turnover-prone. His upside is high, but only if his new mechanics allow him to sink more jump shots. “He’s explosive, but right now a bad player,’’ an NBA scout said.



Story that won’t go away

Whether it’s the point-guard shuffle or figuring out a steady rotation, the Knicks may have too much depth. As TNT’s Kenny Smith said, the fear is Fizdale will have trouble managing a slew of disgruntled soldiers who are left out of the mix. The backcourt is particularly overpacked. Fizdale may set a 10-man unit, but probably will always be tinkering. At some point this winter, Reggie Bullock (back surgery) will join the fray. Damyean Dotson is now healthy but without a role. Fizdale seemed tortured when the preseason ended. Something has to give.

Don’t be surprised if…

The Knicks’ second-round pick, small forward Ignas Brazdeikas, who didn’t play in three of the four preseason games, spends much of the season playing for G-League Westchester because of the roster depth.

Five Garden games to watch

Saturday vs. Celtics: The home opener will feature Enes Kanter’s return to the Garden and his first chance at revenge on Fizdale, with whom he feuded before being waived in February. Bronx native Kemba Walker, said to be ambivalent about signing with the Knicks as a free agent, will play his first Garden game in green.

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Nov. 14 vs. Mavericks: The vitriol Kristaps Porzingis faces in a Mavericks uniform when he plays the Garden for the first time since tearing his ACL in 2018 will be epic. The narrative the bulked-up 7-foot-3 Latvian forced a trade out of New York has not sat well with Knicks fans. It will be the second Mavericks matchup in six days, with the Knicks in Dallas on Nov. 8 for Smith’s return to Big D.



Nov. 24 vs. Nets: Certainly the Knicks invading Barclays Center on Friday in the season’s second game is compelling theatre, but won’t compare to the Nets at the Garden with Kyrie Irving in black duds and Kevin Durant in a sports jacket. The volume of boos for Irving won’t top Porzingis’ expected reception but will come close after Irving spurned the Knicks and brought KD and ex-Knick DeAndre Jordan to Brooklyn with him.

Jan. 10 vs. Pelicans: After his preseason visit was scrapped by injury, Zion Williamson could play his first Garden game as a pro when the revamped Pelicans come to town.



Jan. 22 vs. Lakers: Anthony Davis and LeBron James make their lone Garden visit. Randle also has revealed his bad feelings about the organization that drafted him. Advice to Knicks fans: Root against the purple and gold this season. A subpar Lakers’ season may be the only igniter for AD’s free-agent departure in 2020, when the Knicks will have a ton of cap space.

Three bold predictions

Julius Randle will come close to averaging a double-double at 20 points and nine rebounds, but makes precious few game-sealing buckets.

Marcus Morris will be traded to the Rockets for a 2020 second-round pick in February.

Carmelo Anthony will be signed for the season finale so he can retire as a Knick.

The Post’s forecast

26-56. The Knicks will get off to a slow start with chemistry issues. Without a defined star closer, it will be tough to pull out tight games even as their defense improves.