LeBron James explains why he ‘still’ regrets giving his son his name

‘The only thing I can do is give them the blueprint, and it’s up to them to take their own course…’

LeBron James (Getty)

NBA champion LeBron James says he regrets giving his son his name in a video clip of the basketball star’s new HBO series.

A clip of Mr James’ new show The Shop features him speaking candidly about his experiences watching his sons play basketball, and why he regrets giving his oldest son his name.

The show’s first episode featured the likes of NFL player Odell Beckham Jr, WNBA’s Candace Parker, musician Snoop Dogg and former host of The Daily Show Jon Stewart.

When asked by Mr Stewart how Mr James gives his sons, who play basketball, the “peace of mind” that they don’t have to be their dad, Mr James responded: “I still regret giving my 14-year-old my name because of that.”

The NBA champion left the Cleveland Cavaliers and signed a reported four-year $153.3m contract with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month. Videos of both of Mr James’ sons – his oldest son LeBron James Jr. (nicknamed Bronny) and younger son Bryce Maximus James – playing basketball online have sparked interest over their future potential careers in basketball.

Mr James told Mr Stewart that as a parent he has focused on providing a “blueprint”.

“The only thing I can do is give them the blueprint, and it’s up to them to take their own course…”

Mr James’ new barber shop talk series is produced by HBO and Uninterrupted, a company owned by Mr James and his business partner Maverick Carter, Variety reported.

“The Shop is exactly why we created Uninterrupted,” Mr James said according to Variety. “Anyone who has been in a real barbershop, like the ones where I grew up, knows why this show can be so incredible. I’m really excited HBO believed in our idea and is helping us create something special.”

The first episode of the unscripted series is set to air 28, August on HBO. Mr James told The Hollywood Reporter that The Shop will focus on candid talks, similar to the essence of conversations he experienced going to barber shops as a child.

“We know with social media and text being the way people communicate, the form of conversation, actually talking, is kind of a lost art,” he said.