I always thought the team they gave him was quaint.
As you're battling him in GSC, you kind of relive what you did in RBY. That Eevee you were given manifested as an Espeon, the Snorlax you had to wake up, the Pikachu that never evolved, and of course the three starters - fully evolved. I mean, sure, they could have given him a supped up team of powerhouses, but I like what they did here better.
In short, it was cute and I always enjoy battling him.