How would a Nikon - AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 Lens benefit me in portraits?

What is the main function of this lens? Does it just give me crisper pictures?

F/1.8 allows you to take a picture with maximum shallow depth of field. I'm actually looking for a lense to do that for my camera. Its an amazing effect when you take photos of people because it basically means the object your focused on is the only thing in focus and the background is ultra blurred creating a very dramatic picture. Google ""shallow depth of field" to see what I mean

Even though it's a relatively inexpensive lens, it's extremely sharp and, with it's f/1.8 maximum aperture, give you excellent brokah. Simply said, it allow you great shots where only the subject is in sharp focus, with the foreground and background beautifully blurred.

The fast aperture also allows you to use high shutter speeds (to capture movement) and lower ISO (crisper images).

It's my workhorse when I take NBA and NCAA basketball shots. Here's a couple of examples, taken with the Nikon 35mm AF-S f/1.8.
http://www.sportspagemagazine.com/content/bb/mp-bb/g-mp-bb/nba-sacramento-kings-97-v-oklahoma-city-thunder-99.shtml?45495#18
http://www.sportspagemagazine.com/content/bb/mp-bb/g-mp-bb/nba-sacramento-kings-97-v-oklahoma-city-thunder-99.shtml?45495#13
http://www.sportspagemagazine.com/content/bb/mp-bb/g-mp-bb/nba-sacramento-kings-100-vs-san-antonio-spurs-113.shtml?45319#9
http://www.sportspagemagazine.com/content/bb/mp-bb/g-mp-bb/nba-sacramento-kings-102-v-new-orleans-hornets-96.shtml?45207#29
http://www.sportspagemagazine.com/content/bb/mp-bb/g-mp-bb/sacramento-kings-104-vs-cleveland-cavaliers-117.shtml?37495#38