Quote:PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson is afraid police are targeting him and he may want to leave the city, according to published reports.

"I want to be in Philadelphia, but I'm scared to be here," the NBA star told The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News in Tuesday's editions.

They were Iverson's first public comments about his off-the-court troubles last summer.

Iverson and his wife, Tawanna, gave an interview to the newspapers Monday at the 76ers' practice facility, to blunt the impact of what the couple said is an upcoming unflattering television news report on Iverson's personal life. The interview was attended by their lawyer, Larry Woodward.

"I've heard about police officers toasting to Allen Iverson's next felony conviction," Iverson said. "I'm hearing about them saying I'm involved with one thing or another, and it scares me. I know that if there's a crooked cop out there, they could do anything to me. He could do anything. Allen Iverson could wind up dead tomorrow if a crooked cop wants him dead. It's as simple as that."