I think that was kind of the point with Joels comment. There comes a time and place in each teams development, where to be a champion you can't be scared anymore. I think Joel said it right there in not so many words. We aren't scared of the Lakers, the Celtics, the Spurs, anymore. We're done with that, no more intimidation tactics to take us out of our game. We're just as talented if not more than the elite teams in the league, and it's time everyone takes notice.
....I think a "we beat the shit out of them" will serve notice, that maybe it's the Blazers time to be intimidaters.