It was actually a really effective start top lane. You solo wolves or Krugs or whatever, get to level 2 before the minions clash at lane, back, buy some extra potions or a item you normally wouldn't be able to afford and TP top lane one level higher then your lane opponent. You don't need TP off cool down that early in the game and you probably have enough sustain items to stay in lane much longer then if you didn't. Back when this was conceived, the jungle was also hard as fuck and chances are you'd never Finnish your clear path on the first try anyway.
My complaint would be when you ask for wolves even though your jungler isn't anywhere near them and they start having a hissy fit over taking them. So they decide to walk over and smite wolves first. That ruins both our paths. So i usually just follow him around the jungle until I reach level 2 anyway.