I always liked the Ercoli DiMeo-background, it prevents Tony from ever dwelling into bona-fide-high-up-in-the-Sierra-mountains-territory - it's obvious that he has a lot of money running through his hands but he also wastes it like there's no tomorrow and he never stops hustling. many times we've seen him take a huge stand for a few hundred dollars even screwing his close friends.

he's the street boss but after all they're just a "glorified crew" in the eyes of the bigger fish in NY. I think that's a very nice touch that leads you to root for Tony.