@igetownd:
I would find Paulie joining a little awkward, because he's not a superhero like the other Strawhats. Luffy was always super-human, Zoro's a war demon, Sanji's super-agile, Nami's a sorceress, Chopper's a monster, Ussop's got incredible precision, and Franky's a cyborg. Robin's the only one who hasn't developed her strength the whole arc. Pauli's rope skills are good, but ropes are rather limited in potential.
I do not disagree. Franky is a powerful freak. I'm just speaking off my personal feeling in the types of situations we have had (interaction with Luffy-wise anyways..) and Paulie's personal situation vs Franky's. Though we've seen Franky can be kind of Nerfed without his fuel source. Albiet, still powerfull enough to take on a CP9 agent.
Though something else I wonder is how much potential Franky has. He can't have too many more places to hide stuff on his body. He can't have too many more secret techniques set aside. Aside from getting a limitless fuel source and/or getting work done to his back to bring adittion to his arsenal, he seems to be as strong as he's going to get. Where as Paulie has the room to grow both in power and determination.
I started to doubt Paulie's joining once I saw him tied up with the nobodies, but then it was set to ease after seeing he was waiting to strike, which at least implies he has a bit of sence. Especially after taking a body set of shigans delivered by the top two ranked agents. He was still a driving force on his own against so many marines. Though his skills proved incompatable facing off against ryoukoshiki users.
To reach the top, Luffy has collected people of great power and skill but this again, is why I lean towards Paulie. Luffy hasn't been grabbing people based of their powers or abillity, he's nabbed those he enjoys the company of. Though… Robin is excluded from the typical way he selected them.
It's still a 50/50 in any case. Though if we could predict the story, would it be the same? Oda's pretty inventive and the main reason this series has kept the intrest of so many. Unlike Bleach, which has become DBZ where everyone is Future Trunks.