More importantly, these guys could have ended Cell in ten episodes after he was introduced if Goku would have just grabbed 18 and instant transmissioned her to Kami's lookout. Instead, he grabs Tien & Picollo.
Now I understand they're your boys, but Cell would have had no way to get to her because he had no idea where the lookout even was. Vegeta/Trunks would have finished him easily..(although knowing Vegeta, he would have snitched out 18's location so he could still "test" the extent of his new powers.. )
wasnt Goku in the hyper bolic time chamber then and could not leave during the time Cell got to 18?