Having a 7-4 record isn't an awful thing, but for the Dallas Mavericks, it isn't convincing.

Dallas stacked wins against the teams it was supposed to beat. However, Dallas' four losses came at the hands of the four good teams it has played to this point in the season.

Each of Dallas' four losses was by double-digit point differentials. Against Atlanta, Dallas lost by 26 points and failed to hit 100 points in a league that heavily favors offensive production. In Denver, Dallas lost by 31 points, again failing to hit 100 points. It doesn't stop there. Playing Miami at home, Dallas lost by 15. Finally, on Wednesday, playing the surging Chicago Bulls, Dallas lost by 10 in what Jason Kidd said was an average game from Luka Doncic.

Doncic finished the night with 20 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds.

After the game, Kidd also said Dallas didn't offer Doncic enough help. Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. combined for 43 points. Dwight Powell even pitched in with 12 points of his own – a rare sighting for Dallas' starting big who has often struggled in that role all season. And off the bench, Jalen Brunson provided his customary 12 points.

It can't be all on the players. Could Doncic be more efficient? Yes. Has Porzingis been the best version of himself in every game he's played all season? No. Did everyone know the first few weeks under Kidd would be a work in progress? Yes.

What do the numbers say? 

However, it's alarming that any team can boast a player as talented as Doncic and sit 22nd in the league in offensive rating (104.7) and net rating (-3.1). Kidd, during training camp, said he wanted to speed up Dallas' pace of play. The offense sits 23rd in the league in pace (98.19), behind Dallas' old friend, Rick Carlisle, and his Indiana Pacers.

What Kidd's presence has helped is Dallas' defense. Currently, the Mavericks sit 19th in defensive rating (107.8). With that slight uptick in defensive activity from Dallas, the offensive should be generating easy looks at the basket in transition. Yet, that hasn't been the case. Dallas sits 24th in the league in true shooting percentage (53.5). The teams behind it are Orlando, Toronto, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, New Orleans and Detroit.

None of those teams have a player as skilled as Doncic. None of those teams are trying to compete for an NBA championship. And none of those teams have an above .500 record.

Everyone can bang the "small sample size" Gong, but Wednesday's loss is indicative that Dallas isn't heading in the right direction. It isn't pretty to watch. Nor is Kidd's offense necessarily inventive. It's average at best. And at worst, it divulges into trusting Doncic to do everything.

How far has that gotten Dallas in recent years?

Constant struggles against good teams.

With an offense as average as Dallas', it is no surprise that against good teams, it doesn't work. To beat the Boston Celtics, it took a game-winner. To this point, in the East, the Celtics are an average team.

The good teams in this league make what a team wants to do offensively just a little bit harder. And if the team they are playing is worth the price of admission, they respond with a plan B or a scheme that reestablishes plan A. Dallas' reliable plan B has been nonexistent after 11 games. And plan A hasn't looked great either.

To compete against the best, it appears Doncic will have to be the best and then some. Which is a startling realization after Kidd said he wanted to help Doncic understand how to trust his teammates.

If Doncci isn't constantly a super-human basketball player, Dallas may be staring at another season of Doncic's career wasted in mediocrity.

"In my position, people expect to have an amazing game and not have nights off, " Doncic said after the loss to Chicago. "But this is basketball. As long as we win, I am good."

Winning against teams you should beat is one thing. Winning against good teams is another.

Related Dallas Mavericks reading: 

"Who is to blame for the Mavericks' struggles against quality teams?" 

"Mavs Journal: Luka Magic and steps forward for Dallas."

Feature image via Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports.