Taylor Suspended 10 games; Rockets May replace him

HOUSTON -- Houston Rockets forward Maurice Taylor was suspended a minimum of 10 game without pay by the NBA on Friday for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Taylor's suspension is to begin Saturday night when the Rockets host the Orlando Magic and continue until he has resumed full compliance with his treatment program, the NBA said in a statement.


The players union has filed a grievance on Taylor's behalf, contending that the length of the punishment is improper and excessive.


"It undermines our confidence in the fair administration of the drug program," union attorney Ron Klempner said.


ESPN's David Aldridge reports that the NBA has given permission for the Rockets to put Taylor on the suspended list, giving the team the option to replace him.


The Rockets have not decided whether they will pursue that option.


Taylor was not immediately available for comment Friday.


Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said he didn't know the details of why Taylor was suspended.


"I don't know what it was or consisted of," Dawson said. "The league will handle this and then tell us what they want us to know. I'd like to know more about it."


The NBA, its teams and the players' association are prohibited from disclosing information regarding the testing or treatment of any player in the program.


Taylor was suspended by the league for the first five games of the 2002 season for smoking mar1juana. He was previously suspended in December 2001 after acknowledging he used mar1juana in violation of league rules. Taylor was on the team's disabled list at the time and served his suspension at the start of the next season.


In four games this season, Taylor has averaged 9.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 23.5 minutes.


Earlier this season, the Rockets suspended forward Eddie Griffin after he missed several practices and a team flight.


Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.