Standard rule of thumb is to drop all your totems in the starting area in case of a rush, besides that a paladin prevents a rush on several maps with crusader aura allowing you to get there very fast. I really don't have that issue with people rushing me, it's usually a mistake on their part. I have the opposite problem where they don't want to attack me

Paladins overall are just incredibly synergistic with our combo, from the concentration aura to the bop to the biggest one of all Bubble! , their heals hit really hard, beacon of light is amazing and the holy light glyph is superb.