HOUSTON -- Houston Rockets forward Maurice Taylor received a five-game suspension from the NBA on Friday for using marijuana in violation of the league's collective bargaining agreement.

"I have abused marijuana, that's why I'm standing here today," Taylor said at an evening news conference in Houston. "I should have known better. The collective bargaining agreement has been here the whole time I've been here. I'm not a rookie. I should have known what to do and what not to do."

The 6-foot-9, 260-pound forward is probably out for the season with a right Achilles' tendon injury. He was hurt during a pickup game in September, shortly after signing a six-year, $48 million contract.

Because Taylor is on the injured list, his suspension will begin with the first game for which he is physically able to play.

Taylor apologized to his teammates, his family and the Rockets organization.

"I'm usually a lot smarter, but I didn't use the best judgment I should have," Taylor said. "I let everybody down in the organization, especially the coaching staff that put so much responsibility on me as a player."

He averaged 13 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Rockets in 2000-01.