Should Mavs Fans Really Be Alright With Medicority?

I am personally a HUGE Dallas Mavericks fan.  I have been one since I was around the old age of three-years old, when my dad plopped me down in front of the television.  I have experienced the worst seasons, and the best ones.  The lowest of the lows, and the highest of the highs. 

I actually called my dad and let out some swear words out of complete excitement when we beat the Spurs in game seven of the semi-finals.  I also drank away my sorrows when we got cheated in the finals to the Heat, in order to try to forget everything. 

Unfortunately, I wasn't successful in that last attempt.  Either way, there is no doubt in anyone's mind that I LOVE my Dallas Mavericks.  The thrill ride the last eight years has been a highlight of my life, literally. 

Every single season, the Mavs were improving, changing, and on the way up to what was hopefully going to be their first title.  So this brings me to ask myself this very important question..."am I really going to be satisfied if the Mavs simply make the playoffs, especially as a seven or eight seed?"

Even the first couple years the Mavs made the playoffs in this eight year stretch, there was at least a feeling of hope for the future because of the young talent we had on our team.  We knew that we weren't the most experienced team in the league, but we had the talent to compete with anyone, and it was possible we could overachieve and go all the way. 

If we didn't win it all that year, we were going to be better the next season, so it was always ok. 

Now, it is almost as if myself, and other Mavs fans are settling for a mediocre team.  Yes, I think that they are still talented, and can at least be competitive against the best team in the NBA, but that's all.  If I truly had to answer as to whether or not the Mavs had a chance to win the Finals this year, I would have to say not at all...at least not without a trade. 

It is somewhat sad that my Mavericks are no longer going up the mountain of success, but they are falling back down it.  This is a team that SHOULD have won the NBA title just three seasons ago, then won 67 games just two years ago.  Now, we are all trying to grasp on to some small glimmer of hope each night the Mavs play to remind us of what they were just two seasons ago. 

The Mavs are not totally done though, and this is the most important thing. 

The Mavs still have a core group of players that can win a ring, maybe even more.  However, some modifications need to be made.  There is no point in waiting to see if this exact Mavs roster can win a championship, because we all know that they can't.  Waiting until the end of the season will just waste games that Dirk still has left in his prime. 

So, I am pleading with Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson...PLEASE get a legit big man in here to fix this team.  The Mavs are only a piece away from being back in the elite, don't wait until it’s too late.