The Associated Press News Service had this to say: "The Wizards gave themselves the red carpet treatment during the pregame ceremony. The starters struck poses as they rose one at a time amid smoke on a movable platform in front of a replica of the Washington Monument, then walked down a red carpet through a pair of faux Roman columns and onto the court. Arenas, waving his warmup jersey as he trundled down the steps, received the loudest ovation. He also addressed the crowd, thanking them for their support in last year's postseason run. ''We wanted to keep it going this year,'' he said. ..."