For popularity I have of course included other leagues. It is wrong to check the popularity of a hero for only 1-5% of the players. Sure you should consider the hero balance around the top playerbase, but you should also consider the popularity amongs all players.
Current prime example for a problem, where almost everyone agrees with Falstad. He has a popularity over 80%, because a lot of players abuses him. Frog calls them “bandwaggon” players.
If a lot other heroes falls behind, who are considered “fine”, it is.