> The fact that vi iMproved became the dominant implementation isn't particularly relevant here.
I think it is. Most vim users I know have never used vi and would hate it.
As a reminder: In vi, when you go into "insert" mode, you cannot edit anything prior to where the cursor was when you entered insert mode. vim got rid of such annoyances.
I consider it obvious that "vim-like" keybindings are also "vi-like" keybindings, and that emacs could in fact have adopted them before the invention of vim.
It wouldn't have of course; when the Editor Wars were truly raging, the modal vs. modeless debate was at the heart of the partisanship. But that's a separate question.
The fact that vi iMproved became the dominant implementation isn't particularly relevant here.