LeBron James Explains Why he Regrets Giving his Son his Name on ‘The Shop’

In a snippet from the upcoming HBO Sports and Uninterrupted series, The Shop, LeBron James clarifies why he regrets naming his child after him. After James examines the extent of feelings he experiences watching his children play focused basketball on the barbershop-style set with a gathering that incorporates Odell Beckham Jr., Maverick Carter, Snoop Dogg, Draymond Green, and Candace Parker, Jon Stewart asks LeBron how he attempts to manage to have his two young men living in the shadow of their future NBA Hall of Fame father.

“What do you say to your kid, living up to you being their dad? They’re playing the same sport that you played better than anyone else in the world has ever played it,” Stewart ponders. “How do you give them peace of mind that they don’t have to be you?”

LeBron responds, “I still regret giving my 14-year-old my name because of that,” he said. “When I was younger, I didn’t have a dad, so my whole thing was when I have a kid, not only is he gonna be a junior, I’m gonna do everything that this man didn’t do. They’re gonna experience things that I didn’t experience. The only thing I can do is give them the blueprint, and it’s up to them to take their own course whenever that time comes.”

The King has just hinted at empowering LeBron James Jr. to find his own path by recommending his child not to rock the same number as his dad. In addition, the soon to be 14-year-old is usually referred to as Bronny, instead of his lawful name. Living in his pop’s shadow is unpreventable, however, LeBron is doing all that he can to make his excursion as easy as could be allowed.

The Shop will debut on Aug. 28.