It's funny how illogical sports predictions can be sometimes.

The prevailing thought regarding the Heat this year is that it can't possibly be any better than it was last season because the roster has barely changed, and it's impossible to ask more of Dwyane Wade, given how well he played last season by finishing as the league's scoring leader.

You are going to have to try really hard to explain that reasoning to me because, frankly, it makes no sense.

For starters, the Heat has enough young talent that you have to assume improvement from enough players will make a significant impact. Michael Beasley might have had his offseason troubles, but word from inside the organization is he's progressing well and quickly adding aspects to his game, like the basketball savant he is. And that's not even taking into account a healthier Jermaine O'Neal, a more knowledgeable Mario Chalmers or a more consistent Daequan Cook.

But the most foolish part of that line of logic is the idea that Wade can't maintain the same level of play for another year, much less improve himself and his team.

Why can't you expect more from one of the most gifted players in the game who is playing in the prime of his career and is as driven as any player in the league?

Wade leading the league in scoring and carrying his team to a 28-victory improvement, and then just giving up?

Sure, he said he doesn't want to have to score as much because if he doesn't, it will mean his team is more balanced. But it doesn't mean he plans to level off and wait for everyone else to contribute.

It's his nature to want to improve. Wade, like Kobe Bryant or LeBron James, doesn't just want to be on par with his peers; he wants to dominate them. And that would require even more work and, yes, an even better player than the one who dominated the league at times last season.

That means it's OK not to expect just another great season from Wade, but the best season he has ever had. He expects it. So why can't we?

``That's fine,'' Wade said after the Heat finished its first official practice session of the season Tuesday. ``I expect myself to do a lot more than other people expect me to do. So with that said, it's easy on me.''

The game does come easy to him. Just last week, coach Erik Spoelstra was bragging about how Wade can pick up in a few days what it takes most players several weeks to perfect.

Wade also is the best kind of copycat, so it's no surprise that he has looked at some of the best in the game and tried to incorporate their skills into his game.

Other than continuing to extend his shooting range -- a scary thought for anyone who had to guard him while he was draining threes last season -- Wade has worked on adding a midpost attack. You know, the same type of game that makes Bryant so difficult to defend and made Michael Jordan impossible to cover.

Wade is not settling. If last year was a breakthrough season, then he figures he can have another.

If he improves, then why shouldn't the Heat improve? There are more teams on the Heat schedule besides the Lakers, Spurs, Magic, Cavaliers and Celtics, after all.

For those who thought the Dwyane Wade Show reached its climax last season, it's safe to say they will be pleasantly surprised.

It hardly is a stretch to consider that Wade will be better than last year.

In his seventh year, Bryant's scoring average jumped almost five points to 30 a game. Wade is entering his seventh season.

Want to compare ages instead of experience? Fine. When Bryant was 27, he had his best statistical season, averaging a ridiculous 35.4 points. Wade begins this season at age 27.

``This is the prime of his career,'' Spoelstra said. ``He's [27] years old and he'll never have times like this again when he gets older. This is what players want to play at, when they have the experience but also the athleticism and quickness. I think he can play at this level for another four, five, six years.''

Now that makes sense.