Supposedly Joey was out of control, in old guy's terms, even when his dad was underboss before the he starting being drunk all the time. So he would've just continued his ways, I think. But idk, part of the reason he went against Scarfo Jr, thus Scarfo himself was because of what was transpiring with his dad. He probably realized that loyalty only went so far, after being around those guys, like Nick Caramandi, & Salvie Testa. So he made his move. I think had Nicky & Chuckie stayed close, Joey & Nicky Jr. would've stayed close as well.