I would say under 20% is pod and under 10% is a big pod. I think over 20% is a somewhat popular pick. I agree with you for the most part and I don't pick pods for the sake of it, but nailing a pod can be pivotal in differentiating yourself from others. I was picking Bont on his own merit but the small number of teams he was in was an added bonus. My point was just that last nights game is a negative rather than a positive for my side as 1 game means nothing for someone like Bont. I've always planned to start Macrae over him if I could afford Macrae, depending on structure, so nothing has actually changed for me.
It's not something you can intentionally avoid but if all your players are in over 20% of teams it is unlikely a good sign, the popular opinion just can't be that good at picking players because far too many people would be capable of being a top 5k SC player.
The other rule I apply is if I cannot at all separate two players I go for the POD. I'd rather take a risk to finish higher or lower from a pick than play it safe.