Mike Woodson made a request early. Even before he knew he would be coaching the Knicks again, Woodson looked into the future. He needed help. He called Hakeem Olajuwon, his longtime friend and a Hall of Famer known for teaching fundamentals.

The Knicks had just been eliminated by the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs, and Woodson wondered if Olajuwon could help Amar’e Stoudemire with his footwork and low-post moves. When the Knicks did retain Woodson — removing his interim title — and gave him a contract extension, he called Olajuwon again. This time, Woodson was in Houston, ready to execute his plan with Olajuwon.

“I feel so honored that he asked me to help,” Olajuwon said.

Since retiring in 2002, Olajuwon has developed some of the N.B.A.’s best players. Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and LeBron James have all flourished under Olajuwon’s tutelage. The lessons have always taken place at Olajuwon’s ranch in Katy, Tex.

Now, for the first time since being available to players during the summer, Olajuwon will travel to a team’s facility to show players his moves. This week, Olajuwon will be in Greenburgh, N.Y., with several Knicks players, including Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler and Stoudemire. He will also be alongside Woodson, the man who persuaded him to make the trip.