Shaq vs. ... the Cops -- O'Neal Loses!

Shaquille O'Neal thinks he can take on peeps like Michael Phelps and Oscar De La Hoya for his reality show, but we found one thing he definitely can't beat -- a ticket.

TMZ has learned Shaq was ticketed early this morning in Hollywood after officers saw him intentionally stopping his car in the middle of the road in front of a few clubs. O'Neal was cited for impeding traffic and let go.

FYI -- Shaq is a reserve cop ... you'd think he'd know better.