Sure. That gave Gotti's move a perceived justification.

But Paul was hit, because his crew got caught moving H. And whether Paul allowed the Westside, or he was perceived to be aloof or whatever is at the end of the day irrelanvent. Gotti hit Paul because either he did or he'd go. That's why Paul was hit. Not because of Bilotti or anything else. Because John had no choice.

If Billoti was never upped, Paul reached out to the streets, the Westisde were never given the green light etc etc Paul would've still gone. Because it was John or Paul.