It’s the process

Fish: Playoffs not only measure of success

Knicks coach Derek Fisher said because his club is coming off a 17win season, he can’t consider it a failure if they don’t make the playoffs, believing the “end result” is not what’s most essential.

With the Knicks about to face two teams they need to pass to nab a playoff berth — Boston on Tuesday night at the Garden and Detroit on the road Thursday — Fisher was asked about the urgency of the games.

Fisher said the guidelines of a successful season may not fall on whether the Knicks snare the last playoff seed at No. 8. He also said the team’s success in free agency this coming summer ultimately will be more critical.

However, there is no reward for not finishing in the playoffs because the Knicks don’t have a lottery pick. Fisher’s tone also contrasted sharply with that of veteran Arron Afflalo, who recently said the Knicks “are a playoff team.”

“We’re still a team that’s trying to develop into a consistent, highperformance team,” Fisher said before the Knicks’ 9789 loss to the Celtics. “The focus on the process is more important than the result. That’s worked well for us. In recent weeks the noise has picked up on about what we might be able to do three, four months from now.

“We should not view it as we’re chasing someone else. We have to play the games and focus on things we need to do with 30 or so games left. You can’t start counting every win or loss in terms of a playoff thing.”

The Knicks (2328), who have lost six of their last seven games, are four games out of the final seed.

“There is no end point or endgame,’’ Fisher said. “One win. One position. One seed doesn’t do anything. There’s still so much work to do. We have to focus on the work part and not get caught up in thinking we have to work hard in order to get something. Instead enjoy having to work hard, period.”

The Knicks are focused on free agency, when Kevin Durant and point guard Mike Conley will become available. The Knicks are most apt to sign a marquee point guard — with guys like Rajon Rondo and Brandon Jennings also on the market.

Twelve days ago, Fisher was asked on ESPN Radio if he would be disappointed if they didn’t make the playoffs.

“No. Disappointed in what?” Fisher asked. “We’re a developing team with a ton of new players. … We have to be reasonable about who we are and where we are and accept what is and not get caught up in what we should be and allow other people to define what our success is.”

Jose Calderon missed his fourth straight game with a strained groin, but Fisher expects him back Thursday. Langston Galloway, starting for Calderon, mustered just one point (0for4) but had nine rebounds.

Sasha Vujacic scored a seasonhigh 13 points. ... Robin Lopez had 13 rebounds, 11 on the offensive glass. Some were after his own misses.