Yeah this new Paladin archetype is like a reverse curve stone.
You start out weak but you start ramping out like crazy with a curve. It rewards you even more for curving out. That 1 mana card is a big deal because skipping turn one doesn't seem as bad as skipping turn 2.
This is still going to lose to Zoo and Midrange Shaman though because Zoo is going to always be ahead even when you reach that critical mass and start putting down buffed minions.