Transparency
Sources and Editorial Standards
Tic-Shaq-Toe is an independent game and editorial project. This page explains how practice boards and game answers are researched, what each source is used for, and how uncertain cases are handled.
Source hierarchy
| Source | Primary use | Editorial rule |
|---|---|---|
| NBA Stats | Official box scores, player indexes, leaders, and current statistical definitions | Preferred for official league records and current-season facts. |
| Basketball-Reference | Season tables, rosters, transactions, awards, draft records, and playoff series | Used to cross-check historical claims and exact season ranges. |
| Wikidata | Open structured player identity and team-membership seed data | Never treated as sufficient by itself for a disputed game answer. |
| balldontlie | Structured player, team, and statistical data available under its service terms | Used by the local import pipeline; important claims receive a second check. |
What counts as a team connection
A player must have appeared in an NBA regular-season or playoff game for the franchise unless a puzzle expressly uses a different rule. A training-camp contract, draft selection without an appearance, or preseason-only stint does not count. Historical franchise continuity follows official record ownership; city-name changes are not automatically separate teams.
Awards, statistics, and eras
Awards mean the named official NBA honor. “Champion” means the player was on the roster of the championship team under the eligibility rule stated by the puzzle. A season threshold refers to a season average; a single-game threshold refers to one game. Decade clues are based on seasons in which the player appeared, not draft year, unless the column says “drafted.”
Editorial categories
Labels such as role player, defensive anchor, wing, or primary scorer involve judgment. They are used only when the page defines the intended meaning and supplies an explanation. The randomized game favors structured team, award, season, and threshold data where possible.
Review and corrections
Archive puzzles are written and manually reviewed by Alex Mullin before publication. A correction report should include the page, square, player, and a supporting source. Confirmed errors are corrected and material changes are recorded on the update page.
No source listed here sponsors or endorses Tic-Shaq-Toe. NBA and team names identify the subject of independent factual commentary. The site does not claim ownership of league or team trademarks.