“4 years $211M to stay awake?” - NBA fans mock Paul George as star yawns on bench amid injury absence 

Paul George was spotted yawning on the bench during Sunday's contest between the Philadelphia 76ers and his former team, the LA Clippers. George was on the sidelines for yet another game amid a left knee injury, which he sustained during Wednesday's loss to Memphis.

He's played only eight games for the Sixers after signing a four-year $211.5 max contract, averaging 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists, shooting 38.3%, including 27.8% from 3. Meanwhile, the Sixers have dropped to 3-13 on the season after losing 125-99 to LA.

Amid the team's slump, George's underwhelming start and injury struggles, fans were seemingly unimpressed with the All-Star's demeanor on the bench while he yawned.

"I think it’s awesome how even though Paul George is injured he’s bringing that energy and veteran presence on the bench to really fire the guys up," one X user wrote.

Another fan mocked him, citing his max contract saying:

"4-years, $211 million to stay awake, can he do it??"

One fan tweeted:

One fan mocked George referencing his podcast, saying:

"Gotta rest up. Big pod tomorrow"

"He’s getting paid 212 million to sit on the bench and do a podcast. Nothing about his Sixers tenure so far has been awesome," another fan said.

. One fan added:

"SMDH!!! Sixers management is disgusting"

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Joel Embiid wanted Jimmy Butler over Paul George

76ers star Joel Embiid's wishlist to team up with a new star began with Jimmy Butler, not Paul George. According to NBA insider Vince Goodwill, Embiid preferred the reunion with Butler after the duo had prior experience playing together during the 2018-19 season.

"He wanted Jimmy Butler," Goodwill said on Wednesday. "He told the 76ers, ‘Go get my guy'… I don’t think Joel Embiid has been happy, even though they wound up getting Paul George. He wanted Jimmy Butler back over there."

Butler would have been available via trade while George was a free agent. The Sixers had the cap space but not enough assets to lure other teams to deal with them for star players. That drove their decision to pursue George instead, the top candidate in free agency.

The Sixers offered Paul George the max deal he couldn't secure with the LA Clippers. He hasn't had the dream start in Philly and will hope to have a solid comeback and prove critics wrong.

George is out with a knee bone bruise and could return soon. He injured the same left knee during the preseason, citing the same ailment.