@lalala:
People, people, listen. Arguments such as no develpement, no backstory, no attention, and Paulie isn't fighting cp9, ARE BAD ARGUMENTS. Why? Let's review the crew (not counting luffy).
Usopp - backstory? yes. fight important guys? yes developement? yes. Attention? alot
nami - backstory? when she fully joins. Developement? <–. Fighting? yes. Attention? moderate until arlong.
zoro - Backstory? quite a ways away but you get backround info. Developement? yes. fighting? yes. Attention? alot
sanji - Backstory? yes. Developement? yes. Fighting? yes. Attention? Dims after baratie but starts as alot.
Chopper - Backstory? yes. Developement? yes. Fighting? yes. Attention? good amount towards end and stays generally around that much.
Robin - backstory? No. developement? No. Fighting? No. Attention? Less then paulie.
See my point?
edit - Just for the record, I think Frankie will join, but i thought I'd just put that out there.
Well, to be fair, Robin was supposed to be a huge surprise, and their really wasn't anyone else who looked like they were going to join (except maybe bon clay?). I mean Franky is going through the standard main character introduction process found in any manga.