King is a beast, we saw what happen in Onigashima, fodders wont do much against a opponent like that, you need to be at least veteran lvl to make any factor. I mean neither Kawamatsu, Hyo or anyone else could stop him and they need Zoro help.
So it is save to say that King is strong and I get it.
But Katakuri is the same, Smoothie too, Jinbe didn´t want to mess with them either.
King vs Katakuri alone is a extrem diff battle, adding Smoothie or Cracker means game over for King.
And unlike other Katakuri can protect his siblings with future sight.
King is not faster or better in AoE.
Kaido respects and hype Linlin crew for a reason, that is why he asked if her brats been with her, because he know they are damn strong, he was literally panicking over that fact:
Kaido wouldn´t react like that if King would be able to solo them.
Cmon guys be realistic a bit.