The Houston Rockets have continued to be successful despite not having their star center in Dwight Howard. They have gone 13-5 in his absences so far.

At one point before the loss Sunday night against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Rockets had won five or their last six games!

It was certainly something to be proud of as a Rocket fan as this team continues to persevere and buck the challenges that they’re faced with.

They have to, there’s no choice and it’s all about the next man up.

The combination of Joey Dorsey, Josh Smith and Terrence Jones have filled in adequately so far to fill the void of Howard.

We’re still over-matched by teams with dominant big men and then it becomes painfully obvious that these guys are playing slightly out of position.

That’s going to continue to be a problem until we either seek additional help at that position or when D12 returns, whenever that may be.

I don’t expect him to be back for awhile so these guys have to figure this one out and not rely so much on James Harden to save the day.

I know Harden doesn’t mind taking the lead but it’s important that a leader delegates duties from time-to-time to prevent themselves from stressing out from the immense amount of responsibility that comes with the title.

Jan 28, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard(2) attempts to score a basket during the first quarter as Dallas Mavericks forward(25) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Anyway, we know our play at the “2” guard is magnificent but our point guard play has been less than desirable.

Patrick Beverley — where have you been?

You’ve fallen off the face of the earth!

You have been and continue to be one of my favorite Rockets players but this stretch I’m seeing is teetering on the lines of unacceptable.

Are you hurt and not letting us on? Is it something else?

I’m just not used to seeing the defensive stopper that I’ve been accustomed to out on the court!

I don’t know if you’ve noticed but you’ve gotten lit up in last four match ups.

Take a look at these stat lines:

D.J. Augustin — 28 points, 12 assists, 8-for-13 FG, 11-for-13 FT

Derrick Rose — 23 points, four rebounds, 9-for-22 FG

Brandon Knight — 12 points, 11 assists

Damian Lillard — 23 points, 6-for-10 FG, 10-for-11 FT, one turnover

In case you haven’t noticed, those guys have put an average of 21.5 points on you which is way outside of your character.

Dec 22, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard(0) dribbles the ball during the first quarter as Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

You’ve also averaged 6.8 PPG, have shot 31.6 percent from the field, and have connected on only 22.2 percent of your shots from behind-the-arc in the last five games.

It just pains me to see you get torched by these guys, I know you’re better than that man!

I would also love to see you help the Beard out being more of a ball distributor in finding the open man in our offense sets.

Don’t forget about the road you took to the NBA, it was unorthodox as it gets but you’re here and you must keep that in perspective.

I know you’ve worked too damn hard to get where you are today and I’m so proud because I savor success stories like yours.

The endless toiling on the blacktops of Chicago’s K-Town, the unwavering strive to be the best in the Chi-Town Public Leagues, I understand what you’ve gone through and have done thus far.

I played basketball myself and I only wish I had just an inkling of the plethora of talent that you have at your disposal.

Don’t let that natural, innate talent go to waste.

I know you don’t want to go back to Europe playing your ball and worrying about if you’d ever going to get a chance to come back home and play.

Jan 17, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard(30) attempts to drive the ball past Houston Rockets guard Patrick Beverley (2) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Your place is right here with the Houston Rockets.

Your presence and expertise is pivotal as our beloved team marches toward something it hasn’t had in two decades — an NBA championship.

I want to see you on that Houston Fire Department ladder truck as you and your teammates cruise down La Branch Street proudly hoisting Larry O’Brien trophy on a hopefully clear, sunny, hot/humid day sometime in June.

Us fans will be looking on as you guys pass by in awe of the luminosity, grandeur and revel in the effervescence of bringing home one of the most coveted pieces of hardware back to H-Town.

Think about it.

That aforementioned vision I just shared with you can happen but we need your help and I know you’re the man for the job.

You’ve got a tough match up tonight with Goran Dragic/Eric Bledsoe on deck but you’ve gotten the best of them before.

I still stand by you 100 percent but just don’t forget how you got here.

You can overcome this!

I’m done.

Go Rockets.